ASN Aircraft accident Beechcraft 300 Super King Air N780BF Cullman, AL
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Thursday 14 January 1999
Time:09:18
Type:Silhouette image of generic BE30 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Beechcraft 300 Super King Air
Operator:USA Healthcare-Leasing
Registration: N780BF
MSN: FA-70
First flight: 1986
Total airframe hrs:7687
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A
Crew:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Passengers:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Total:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:Cullman, AL (   United States of America)
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:Ferry/positioning
Departure airport:Greenville Downtown Airport, SC (GMU/KGMU), United States of America
Destination airport:Cullman-Folsom Field Airport, AL, United States of America
Narrative:
A Beechcraft 300 Super King Air, N780BF, collided with the ground following a missed approach to Folsom Field in Cullman, Alabama. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed.
USA Healthcare-Leasing had recently purchased the airplane. It had been purchased for the purpose of entering in into service as an executive/corporate airplane. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. However, the pilot filed an IFR flight plan using a reserved registration number N66FB, and type of aircraft as a BE-200. The purpose of the flight was to reposition the newly purchased airplane to Folsom Field for the new owner, USA Healthcare. The airplane departed Greenville Downtown Airport, SC (GMU).

The airplane descended to 2,600 feet to the NDB, and initiated the approach upon crossing the NDB. As the airplane descended below 1,500 feet MSL, Huntsville lost radar contact. The next communication with the airplane was when the pilot radioed that he was initiating the missed approach. The published missed approach procedure is, 'Climbing lift turn to 2,700 direct CPP NDB and hold.' The airplane made a series of turns within the next one minute and 24 seconds. Additionally, the airplane's altitude varied but it never climbed above the altitude of 1,700 feet. The airplane wreckage was located approximately 3.5 miles north of the airport on a 345 degree heading on the opposite side of the outbound course to the NDB.
A review of pilot records did not show the pilot having any fixed wing airplane experience.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to adhere to the missed approach procedure resulting in a collision with terrain. Contributing factors were fog and the rotorcraft rated pilot's lack of fixed wing certification/experience."

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: NTSB
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 2 years
Accident number: ATL99FA044
Download report: Summary report

Sources:
» NTSB


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Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Greenville Downtown Airport, SC to Cullman-Folsom Field Airport, AL as the crow flies is 415 km (259 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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