Beech BE-58 accident near Brinkley, Arkansas, February 1, 2001
On February 1, 2001 at about 12:38 pm local time, a Beech BE-58, registered N448DH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Brinkley, Arkansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's poor inflight planning and decision making which resulted in his executing a precautionary landing in a soft field. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 1, 2001 · about 12:38 pm local time
- Place
- Brinkley, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech BE-58
- Registration
- N448DH · no longer on the register · serial TH-1961
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during cruise flight, he noticed the right engine cylinder head temperature (CHT) was rising above "350 degrees and the oil temperature [was rising] above the top of the green arc." The pilot reported that he secured the engine and advised air traffic control he needed to land at an alternate airport. The controllers repeatedly advised the pilot of the location and distance to the nearest airport. The pilot reported that he was looking for the airport, and he was not able to control the airplane. The pilot did not locate the airport, and he executed a precautionary landing to a muddy field. Neither propeller was found in the feathered position. FAA inspectors found no anomalies with the flight and engine controls. The right and left engines were test run at 1,500 rpm at the accident site, and subsequently, test run in a test cell at various power settings for 2 hours with no anomalies noted. The CHT gauge was examined by the airframe manufacturer and no anomalies were noted. Continuity was confirmed for the wiring from the right CHT probe to the CHT gauge. Toxicological testing for the pilot indicated 2.296 (ug/ml, ug/g) nefazodone detected in serum. Nefazodone is a prescription antidepressant, often known by the name Serzone. The pilot's medical records indicated the routine use of nefazodone as well as alprazolam, a prescription tranquilizer, and zolpidem, a prescription medication used to treat insomnia. All three medications have potential effects on performance. FAA medical records revealed that the pilot did not report the use of the aforementioned drugs on his most recent medical application. The FAA considers these drugs disqualifying for issuance of a medical certificate.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,300 hours in all; 2,700 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 5,100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 1, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 110 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 5,700 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-C (31) (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MEM Memphis TN at 11:45 am
- Destination: LIT Little Rock AR
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.