Mastery Flight Training

Mastery Flight Training, Inc. Beech Weekly Accident Update archives

June 2004 Reports

Official information from FAA and NTSB sources (unless otherwise noted). Editorial comments (contained in parentheses), year-to-date summary and closing comments are those of the author. All information is preliminary and subject to change. Comments on preliminary topics are meant solely to enhance flying safety. Please use these reports to help you more accurately evaluate the potential risks when you make your own decisions about how and when to fly. Please accept my sincere personal condolences if anyone you know was in a mishap. I welcome your comments, suggestions and criticisms. Fly safe, and have fun!

6/3/04 Report

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

5/27 1527Z (0827 local): A Be24 departed Deer Valley, Arizona, with the intended destination of Chandler, Arizona, but the pilot became aware that the tow bar was still attached and he/she returned for landing at Deer Valley. The airplane suffered “minor” damage, with no injuries to the two on board, in the ensuing landing. Weather: “clear and 10” with a six-knot wind. N5974S is a 1966 A23-24 recently (February 2004) registered to an individual in Cave Creek, Arizona.

(“Attempted landing with tow bar attached”; “Recent registration”)

5/29 0149Z (1849 local 5/30/04): The pilot and four passengers of a Be36 avoided injury despite “substantial” aircraft damage, when the Bonanza crashed on takeoff “under unknown circumstances” at Hollister, California. The local “pleasure” flight took place in “unreported” weather conditions. N6797Y is a 1995 A36 registered since April 2003 to a corporation in Hollister.

(“Takeoff/Unknown”; “Substantial damage”— aircraft weight and balance is always worthy of investigation when so many are aboard a Be36, although careful loading and a reduced fuel load may make it possible, especially if some of the passengers are light).

5/29 1910Z (1310 local): A Be35 “hit a berm” during an “attempted landing” at the conclusion of a local flight at Havre, Montana. The solo pilot was not hurt; damage and weather conditions are “unknown.” N7DR is/was a 1962 P35 registered since 2001 to an individual in Humble, Texas.

(“Impact with obstacle during normal landing”)

NEW NTSB PRELIMINARY REPORTS: All previously reported in the Weekly Accident Update, and subject to update per NTSB findings.

**4/29 D95A runway overrun at Athens, Georgia. Add “substantial damage.” A tailwind component brought on by landing on a runway other than that to which the pilot was cleared and worn brake pads on the left main gear were factors. http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040526X00670&key=1 **

**5/23 Be24 fire following a gear-up landing at Chamblee, Georgia. http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040528X00683&key=1

6/10/04 Report

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

6/3 1715Z (1215 local): A Be35 “experienced an unexpected loss of engine power” during a flight from Tell City, Indiana to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The aircraft “was unable to reach any airport and landed in a field 18 miles (northeast) of Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, Springfield, Missouri. The two aboard the Bonanza avoided injury despite “substantial” aircraft damage. Post-landing examination revealed that the engine’s #2 cylinder head departed the airframe Weather in the Springfield area was 9000 scattered, visibility 10 miles. N693V is a 1960 M35 registered since 2001 to a co-ownership in Cerrillos, New Mexico.

(“Engine failure in flight”; “Substantial damage”—according to the FAA registry this airplane is still equipped with a TCM IO-470 engine).

6/5 2251Z (1551 local): A Be35 “reported low manifold pressure” accompanied by a loss of oil pressure while en route from Kayenta, Arizona to Deer Valley (near Phoenix), Arizona. The pilot made a forced landing on a road near Flagstaff, Arizona, resulting in “substantial” damage but no injury to the three persons on board. Weather near Flagstaff was “visual.” N6127Q is a 1964 Machen conversion (Lycoming TIO-540) S35 registered since 2001 to an individual in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

(“Engine failure in flight”; “Substantial damage”—an unexpected loss of manifold pressure in a turbocharged airplane is grounds for landing as soon as practical. It *may* be due to a sticky wastegate or pressure controller or an upper deck induction leak, relatively benign problems, but it *could* be related to an engine oil loss, internal engine damage from a disintegrating turbocharger, or a deadly exhaust manifold leak [which may lead to an engine fire]. You won’t know until you can check it out on the ground).

6/6 1800Z (1300 local): During a “training” flight at Eden Prairie, Minnesota, the right main gear of a Be60 collapsed on landing. The solo pilot was not hurt; damage is “minor.” Weather was “not reported.” N947GB is a 1975 B60 Duke registered since 1992 to a corporation in Eden Prairie.

(“Gear collapse on landing”)

6/7 2331Z (1731 local): The pilot of a Be36 died, and two passengers aboard the Bonanza suffered “serious” injuries, after the airplane “crashed under unknown circumstances” near Greeley, Colorado. The airplane was “destroyed.” Weather in the area was “not reported.” N6162E was a 2003 A36 recently (March 2004) registered to a corporation in Denver, Colorado.

(“Crash/Unknown”; “Fatal”; “Aircraft destroyed”; “Recent registration”—a local news report states: “…a flight simulator technician from Platteville, saw the crash. He said the plane appeared to be descending for an emergency landing when it slowed down too much and the wing dipped. The pilot over-corrected and the engine stalled, sending the plane nose down into the field. The plane then cartwheeled and landed on its belly….. The landing gear was down, the propeller was turning….”)

NEW NTSB PRELIMINARY REPORTS: All previously reported in the Weekly Accident Update, and subject to update per NTSB findings.

**5/3 Queen Air “serious injury” mishap at Winder, Georgia. The airplane was being flown to a maintenance facility for routine work when the pilot apparently ran emptied both main fuel tanks and suffered a dual engine failure. Change “Crash/Unknown” to “Fuel starvation” and add “Substantial damage.” http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040608X00745&key=1 **

**5/8 A23A loss of control on landing at Crystal River, Florida.

http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040512X00595&key=1 **

**5/29 A36 impact with obstacles during an attempted takeoff following an initial takeoff that gave indications of a departure stall and two aborts before the attempted takeoff down the remaining length of the runway. Five persons aboard the A36 suggest that c.g. location may have been a factor. Change “Takeoff/Unknown” to “Impact with obstacle/aborted takeoff.”

http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040603X00728&key=1 **

**5/29 P35 engine “hesitation” on takeoff at Harve, Montana. Change “Impact with obstacle during normal landing” to “Engine failure on takeoff.” The implication in the report seems to be that fuel management may have played a part. Add “Substantial damage.”

http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040608X00748&key=1 **

**6/3 M35 cylinder separation near Branson, Missouri, cited above.

http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040608X00744&key=1 **

**6/5 S35 turbocharger failure and off-airport landing near Flagstaff, Arizona, cited above. http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040608X00767&key=1 **

6/17/04 Report

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

6/9 1512Z (1112 local): After a Be58 was “cleared for touch and go” during a training flight in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Baron’s gear collapsed during the runway portion of the maneuver. The two aboard were not hurt despite “substantial” damage. Weather was clear, eight miles visibility, with a variable, five knot wind. N6577S is a 1976 model 58 registered since 2000 to a corporation in Cincinnati).

(“Gear collapse on landing”; “Substantial damage”; Dual instruction”—another in the prominent series of gear collapse accidents coincident with attempted touch-and-go pattern work. My recommendation—make all landings to a full stop and do not reconfigure the cockpit until clear of the runway and preferably coming to a complete stop).

6/14 1933Z (1033 local): A commercially operated Be18 descended short into the water during an ILS approach into Kodiak, Alaska. The solo pilot died and the Twin Beech was “Destroyed.” Weather during the approach was 500 broken, 900 broken, 1500 overcast, visibility 2.5 miles in light rain showers, with surface winds at 11 knots. Temperature and dew point were both +8C. N401CK was a 1952 C-45H retrofitted with Garrett turboprops and recently registered (June 2003) to an individual in Kenai, Alaska.

(“Descent into surface/object during approach”; “Fatal”; “Aircraft destroyed”; “IMC”)

6/14 2021Z (1421 local): A Be58 on a “training” mission landed gear up at Farmington, New Mexico. Student and instructor report no injury and damage is “minor.” Weather: “clear” with a nine-knot wind. N8117V is a 1991 Model 58 registered since 1992 to a corporation in Farmington.

(“Gear up landing”; “Dual instruction”)

NEW NTSB PRELIMINARY REPORTS: All previously reported in the Weekly Accident Update, and subject to update per NTSB findings.

**6/7 Fatal crash of a very recently registered A36 near Gilcrest, Colorado. A second of the three aboard the Bonanza has died of injuries suffered in the mishap. Witness reports describe a stall while maneuvering very close to the ground. Change “Crash/Unknown” to “Stall/low-altitude maneuvering.” http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040615X00793&key=1 **

6/24/04 Report

UPDATE

RE: “6/14 2021Z (1421 local): A Be58 on a “training” mission landed gear up at Farmington, New Mexico. Student and instructor report no injury and damage is “minor.” Weather: “clear” with a nine-knot wind.”

A representative of the aircraft’s operator reports: “the incident was not a "gear up" (as reported by the FAA), it was nose gear partially extended and mains down. Part ARHT5ECH (that's the current part #), a rod end for the nose gear actuation system, failed at the grease hole on the part during the retraction cycle. Turns out the part that has the grease hole is no longer manufactured and the replacement part does not have the grease hole. We never received an AD or other advisory as far as I know, but obviously Raytheon knew this was a weak part. This is the third failure of the nose gear actuation system we have had (2 different Barons) and all have been different part failures. This is a 2000 hour replacement part and had 1200 hours on it when it failed. I am beginning to (believe) that hours mean nothing on the gear system, cycles do. The damage is identical to the last similar incident (involving another of the school’s Barons) about two years ago--nose cone, hinge area of nose dear, both props, engine tear downs, nose gear doors. The crew cranked the gear down after hearing a loud noise below them on the retract cycle and seeing the in-transit light stay on. They got 2 green but (the in transit) light stayed on after cranking due to the nose gear flopping in the breeze. If we could just figure out a way to get that nose gear to go a bit more forward and lock over center it sure would be nice! Flyby confirmed the problem, and they landed and set the nose down as gently as possible.” Change “Gear up landing” to “Landing gear: known mechanical malfunction.”

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

6/16 0127Z (2027 local 6/15/04): A Be58 hit a deer during landing at Bloomington, Indiana. The two aboard the Baron were not hurt and damage is “minor.” Weather: “clear and 10” with a four-knot wind. N854C is a 2001 Baron recently (February 2004) registered to a corporation based in Bloomington.

(“Impact with animal on runway during landing”; “Recent registration”)

6/17 1700Z (1300 local): A Be35 “made an emergency landing in a field” near Punta Gorda, Florida. The lone pilot reports no injury and no aircraft damage. Weather conditions were “not reported.” N2963B is a 1953 D35 registered since 2000 to an individual in Port Charlotte, Florida.

(“Engine failure in flight”—local press accounts [http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/061804/tp3np12.htm?date=061804&st ] report the engine problem)

6/18 1319Z (0919 local): A Be58 landed gear up on Richmond, Virginia’s Runway 34. The pilot and an unknown number of passengers have “unknown” injuries, the airplane “minor” damage. Weather: “not reported.” N416JS is a 1973 Baron 58 registered since 1995 to a corporation in Ashland, Virginia.

(“Gear up landing”)

6/20 1445Z (1045 local): A solo pilot was “seriously” hurt and a Be23 “destroyed” when the pilot was “unable to continue takeoff” during a touch-and-go, at Columbia, Tennessee’s Hunter Field. Weather was 17,000 scattered, 20,000 scattered, visibility 10 with a variable, three-knot wind. N1435L was a 1965 A23 recently (August 2003) registered to an individual in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

(“Impact with obstacle/aborted takeoff”; “Serious injuries”; “Aircraft destroyed”; “Recent registration”)

6/20 1930Z (1530 local): Completing an IFR flight in VMC from Muncie, IN, a Be33 landed gear up at Lebanon, Ohio. Four aboard the Debonair avoided injury despite “substantial” aircraft damage. Weather at nearby Dayton, Ohio, was “clear and 10” with a variable, three-knot wind. N1588S is a 1962 B33 registered since 2002 to an individual based in Saint James City, Florida.

(“Gear up”; “Substantial damage”)

NEW NTSB PRELIMINARY REPORTS: All previously reported in the Weekly Accident Update, and subject to update per NTSB findings.

**There are no newly posted piston Beechcraft NTSB reports this week**

Return to 2004 archives page.