# NTSB Accident MIA97FA034
> **Beech D-45** · 1996-12-07 · POPLARVILLE, MS, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** MIA97FA034
- **Event ID:** 20001208X07202
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1996-12-07
- **Location:** POPLARVILLE, MS, USA
- **Coordinates:** 30.829259, -89.529258
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 2
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 2
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Beech
- **Model:** D-45
- **Registration:** N99065
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** NDRK
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

the noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in equipment (inoperative attitude indicator and directional gyro) with an estimated time of arrival after official twilight.  Also, poor in-flight planning decision by the pilot for continuing the flight after encountering dark night conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.  Contributing to the accident were: the insufficient standards/requirements of the operator for allowing the airplane to be flown by a noninstrument-rated pilot with inoperative attitude instruments with an estimated time of arrival after official twilight, the dark night and an inoperative attitude indicator.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=MIA97FA034) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*