Beech F33A accident near Flat Rock, North Carolina, October 23, 2004
On October 23, 2004 at about 1:45 pm local time, a Beech F33A, registered N18303, was substantially damaged in an accident near Flat Rock, North Carolina (Hendersonville airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of control and the subsequent collision with the ground. Factors were low ceilings and fog.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 23, 2004 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Flat Rock, North Carolina · Hendersonville · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beech F33A · all F33As on the register
- Registration
- N18303 · no longer on the register · serial CE-725
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Review of records revealed the pilot was cleared for departure, and at 0942 radar contact was established with the airplane, and the pilot was instructed to turn left direct Sugarloaf VOR. Witnesses estimated the weather to be 200-300 feet overcast with 1 1/2 miles visibility in fog. At 0945, radar contact was lost with the airplane. Examination of the wreckage site revealed the downed airplane was located approximately four miles east from the Hendersonville Airport, at the base of a hill in a nose down attitude. All flight control surfaces, flight controls, engine and propeller were located at the site. Post accident examination of the engine revealed the crankshaft was rotated and valve train movement was confirmed to all of the cylinders, oil pump, and pistons. The three propeller blades displayed chord-wise scoring, and the blades were bent aft. The left and right wing assemblies were attached to the fuselage and crush damaged. The cockpit and empennage was crushed damaged. The vertical and horizontal flight surfaces and controls were crush damaged. From Advisory Circular 61-23C (Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge), revised 1997: Chapter 9 - Spatial Disorientation and Illusions in Flight Many different illusions can be experienced in flight. Some can lead to spatial disorientation. Others can lead to landing errors. Illusions rank among the most common factors cited as contributing to fatal aircraft accidents. Various complex motions and forces and certain visual scenes encountered in flight can create illusions of motion and position. Spatial disorientation from these illusions can be prevented only by visual reference to reliable, fixed points on the ground or to flight instruments. The most overwhelming of all illusions in flight may be prevented by not making sudden, extreme head movements, particularly while making prolonged constant-rate turns under instrument flight rule instrument conditions.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 255 hours in all; 50 in this make and model
- Last flight review: October 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,915.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 3,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0A7 Hendersonville NC at 2:50 pm
- Destination: PVG Portsmouth VA
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 700 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from AVL, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.