Mastery Flight Training, Inc.  Beech Weekly Accident Update archives

April 2006 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!

Copyright 2006 Mastery Flight Training, Inc.  All Rights Reserved

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

3/21 1600Z (1000 local):  The pilot of a Be23 died, and his ATP-rated passenger received “serious” injuries, when their aircraft impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Mena, Arkansas.  The Beech received “substantial” damage.  “Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating from KMEZ…and was destined for…Commerce, Texas.  According to a witness, who was walking along the highway near the time of the accident, he observed the airplane flying ‘very low’ westbound between Rich Mountain and Black Fork Mountain. He added that he observed the single engine airplane turned [sic] south towards Rich Mountain and disappeared into ‘heavy fog.’ Moments later a ‘loud bang’ was heard.”  N2160W (M-1567) is a 1974 C23 registered since 1997 to an individual in Longmont, Colorado.

(“Attempted visual flight in IMC—mountainous terrain”; “Fatal”; “Substantial damage”) 

3/30 0049Z (1649 local 3/29/2006):  A flight arriving at Auburn, California ended with a gear-up landing for a Be33.  The solo pilot wasn’t hurt and damage is “minor”.  Weather: “unknown.”  N818J (CD-477) is a 1962 B33 registered since 1988 to an individual in Auburn.

(“Gear up landing”)

3/30 2017Z (1517 local):  A Be35’s landing gear collapsed on landing during a local flight at Naples, Florida.  The solo pilot avoided injury, but damage was “substantial.”  Weather was “few clouds” at 7000 feet, with 10 miles visibility and surface winds exceeding 25 knots.  N142M (D-6585) is a 1960 N35 registered since 1976 to a corporation in Naples.

(“Gear collapse on landing”; “Substantial damage”—another correlation between high surface winds and landing gear-related mishaps).

3/31 0000Z (1700 local 3/30/2006):  A Be35 struck a light pole while taxiing at Flagstaff, Arizona.  The solo pilot wasn’t hurt despite “substantial” aircraft damage.  Weather was “not reported.”  N348G (D-4532) is a 1956 G35 registered since 2000 to an individual in Chinle, Arizona.

(“Taxied into obstruction/pedestrian/other aircraft”; “Substantial damage”)

3/31 1507Z (1007 local):  Two aboard a Be24 avoided injury when during a local flight at Columbia, South Carolina, the Sierra’s nose gear collapsed on landing.  The airplane has “unknown” damage.  Weather was 2700 scattered, 4500 broken, 4900 broken, with visibilities at 10 miles and a surface wind at 11 gusting to 17 knots.  N2527W (MC-198) is a 1973 B24R recently (December 2005) registered to a corporation in Lexington, South Carolina.

(“Gear collapse on landing”—another in gusty wind conditions; “Recent registration”)

4/2 2030Z (1630 local):  Landing from a local flight at Clewiston, Florida, a Be18’s landing gear collapsed.  The lone pilot was not injured.  Aircraft damage is “minor.”  Weather: “clear and 10” with a 10-knot wind.  C-FAMH does not appear on the Canadian registry website.

(“Gear collapse on landing”)

4/7 2240Z (1740 local):  A Be60 landed gear up at Shreveport, Louisiana.  The lone pilot reports no injury; damage is “minor.”  Weather was 5000 scattered, 13,000 scattered, visibility 10 with surface winds at 14 gusting to 18 knots.  N1WA (P-423) is a 1977 B60 recently (May 2005) registered to a corporation in Newbern, Virginia.

(“Gear up landing—known mechanical system failure” [see below]; “Recent registration”—local press reports state the Duke reported a gear problem and then orbited “burning off excess fuel” for a little over an hour before the gear-up landing, giving emergency crews time to get in place.  Unsubstantiated internet reports say the airplane was just out of the paint shop and speculate that process may have played a part).

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

**3/17 56TC apparent pilot incapacitation and eventual fuel exhaustion near Winfield, West Virginia.  “All communications were normal until the pilot advised air traffic control (ATC) at 1911, that he saw a contrail coming from his airplane, and that ‘he had never seen that before.’ At 1934, the pilot advised ATC that he was having communications problems, and at 1937, he was cleared to climb to flight level 270. The pilot did acknowledge the instruction, and no further transmissions were received from him….The entire wreckage was contained in the single area were it came to rest approximately 3 feet aft of the point of impact….All the major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site…. the vertical speed indicator needle was lodged in the -4,400 foot per minute position. The autopilot and trim switches were in the on position. The heater switches were on. The throttle controls, propeller controls and mixture controls were in approximately the midrange position. The flap indicator and flap switch lever were in the flaps up position. The landing gear selector switch was in the gear up position. The left and right fuel selectors were set to ‘on.’ The pilot's seat belt and shoulder harness assemblies were found intact and latched. The cabin door latch assemblies and baggage door assemblies were found in the closed and locked position…. The pilot was found strapped into the left front seat of the airplane wearing an oxygen mask. A pulse oximeter was discovered laying on the ground 6 feet outboard of the left wingtip. In addition to the installed oxygen system on the airplane, a portable oxygen system was found during the wreckage examination. A nasal cannula was connected to the airplane's oxygen system and was found lying on the seat next to the pilot. The mask that the pilot was wearing was found connected to the portable bottle. The regulator valves of both systems were open about halfway, and both were depleted of their contents.” **

**3/21 fatal C23 controlled flight into terrain near Mena, Arkansas, cited above.**

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

4/13 1748Z (1048 local):  While taxiing, a Be95’s propeller struck a taxiway light at Glendale, Arizona.  The airplane has “minor” damage and the solo pilot was not hurt. Weather was “not reported,” nor was the airplane’s registration number.

(“Taxied into obstruction/pedestrian/other aircraft”)

4/13 2252Z (1852 local):  The pilot and four passengers aboard a Be24 avoided injury, while the Sierra sustained “unknown” damage, when on landing the aircraft “ran off the runway and went into a ditch” at Panama City, Florida.  The flight was arriving from Macon, Georgia into clear skies, with 10 miles visibility and a seven-knot surface wind.  N1826A (MC-761) is a 1981 C24R registered since 2004 to an individual in Macon.

(“Loss of directional control on landing”)

4/14 2345Z (1745 local):  A Be36 landed gear up at Abilene, Texas.  The solo pilot wasn’t hurt and damage to the Bonanza is “minor.”  Weather: clear, visibility greater than six miles, with a 10-knot surface wind.  N361BC (E-1331) is a 1978 A36 registered since 1995 to a corporation in Atlanta, Georgia.

(“Gear up landing”)

4/15 1915Z (1515 local):  “On landing,” a Be33 “struck a bird [with its] left wing” at Newport News, Virginia.  The solo pilot wasn’t hurt and aircraft damage is “minor.”  Weather: “not reported.”  N2173L (CE-666) is a 1976 F33A registered since 2004 to a co-ownership in Williamsburg, Virginia.

(“Bird strike”)

4/15 2100Z (1600 local):  A Be35 landed gear up at Stevens Point, Wisconsin.  Two aboard the IFR flight weren’t hurt; damage is “minor.”  Weather at KSTE was “clear and 10” with a nine-knot surface wind.  N1885W (D-9485) is a 1973 V35B recently (October 2005) registered to a Stevens Point-based corporation.

(“Gear up landing”; “Recent registration”)

4/16 1553Z (1153 local):  A Be60, “on departure veered [and] hit a parked vehicle [then] slid into the west side of the [commercial] airport terminal” at Gainesville, Florida.  Three aboard the Duke died but there were no injuries on the ground.  The airplane was “destroyed.”  Weather at Gainesville was “clear” with 10 miles’ visibility, and an 11-knot surface wind.  N999DE (P-447) was a 1977 B60 registered since 2004 to a corporation in Gainesville.

(“Crash/unknown” [more in a moment]; “Fatal”; “Aircraft destroyed”—despite the FAA’s preliminary report, local and national press agree that the Duke “circled [the airport] several times” before the crash, indicating something other than the loss of control on takeoff scenario suggested by the official preliminary report.  An Aero-News Network report quotes a local newspaper as confirming two adults and the 12-year-old nephew of one were killed, while the adults were testing a new autopilot they were developing.  A later media update reports that the Duke was out of annual at the time of the crash—probably not a factor, but it may point to a state of maintenance and/or a pilot-owner mindset that could have played a part).

4/17 0115Z (2015 local 4/16/2006):  A Be58’s “tire blew out” on landing at Saint Clair, Missouri.  Alone in the Baron, the pilot was not hurt; damage is “minor.”  Weather: “clear and 10” with a 10-knot wind.  N350TH (TK-146) is a 1982 58TC registered since 2000 to a Wilmington, Delaware corporation.

(“Blown tire on landing”) 

4/17 1600Z (1100 local):  A Be58’s nose gear collapsed on landing at Eunice, Louisiana.  The solo pilot was not hurt and damage is “minor.”  Weather: clear and 10” with a 14-knot surface wind.  N688RC (TH-501) is a 1974 Baron 58 recently (April 2005) registered to an individual in Takotna, Alaska.

(“Gear collapse on landing”; “Recent registration”)

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

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

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

4/18 1300Z (0800 local):  A Be18, “on takeoff roll veered off the runway and ground looped,” at Angleton, Texas.  The solo pilot wasn’t hurt and damage is “minor.”  Weather was 900 overcast, visibility six miles, with surface winds variable at three knots.  N797SB (BA-172) is a 1956 E18S registered since 1999 to Brazoria County, Texas.

(“Loss of control during takeoff”; “IMC”)

4/20 1923Z (1323 local):  A Be33 landed gear up at Broomfield, Colorado.  There was no reported injury and damage is “minor.”  Weather was not reported.  N6739W (CE-899) is a 1980 F33A registered since 2000 to a corporation in Lakewood, Colorado.

(“Gear up landing”—the corporation name suggests a flying club or rental operation)

4/22 1955Z (1455 local):  En route from Kansas City, Missouri to Park Rapids, Minnesota, the pilot of a Be58 “declared an emergency when the cabin filled with smoke [and] made a forced landing two miles west of Willmar, Minnesota.”  The pilot and passenger escaped injury; aircraft damage is “unknown.”  Weather: 4800 scattered, 5500 scattered, visibility 10 with a five-knot surface wind.  N628SF (TH-2088) is/was a 2004 Baron 58 registered since January 2005 to a corporation in Wilmington, Delaware.

(“Smoke in cabin in flight/possible electrical fire”)

4/23 2100Z (1600 local):  A Be55’s landing gear collapsed on touchdown at Palestine, Texas.  The two aboard weren’t hurt; damage is “minor” and weather was “not reported.”  N9925T (TE-224) is a 1966 C55, registration pending to an address in Palestine.

(“Gear collapse on landing”; “Recent registration”—potentially during a training/checkout flight)

4/24 2120Z (1520 local):  A Be35, “on landing, tipped over” during a local flight at Bandon, Oregon.  The lone pilot wasn’t hurt; damage is “substantial”.  Weather conditions were not reported.  N8689M (D-7281) is a 1963 P35 registered since February 2005 to an individual in Myrtle Point, Oregon.

(“Landing/Unknown”; “Substantial damage”—any readers with more information, please let me know)

4/25 2035Z (1635 local):  A Be58’s landing gear collapsed on landing at Norfolk, Virginia.  The solo pilot wasn’t injured despite “substantial” aircraft damage.  Weather: “clear and 10” with an eight-knot wind.  N707RA (TH-257) is a 1972 Baron 58 registered since 1995 to a corporation based in Durham, North Carolina.

(“Gear collapse on landing”; “Substantial damage”)

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

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

SUMMARY: Reported Raytheon/Beechcraft piston mishaps, year-to-date 2006:

Total reported:  62 reports 

Operation in VMC:  37 reports     (60% of total) 

Operation in IMC:   8 reports     (13% of total) 

Weather “unknown” or “not reported”:  17 reports     (27% of total)

Operation at night:  7 reports     (11% of total)        

Fatal accidents:  14 reports     (23% of total)

“Serious” injury accidents (not involving fatalities):  1 report    (2% of total)  

“Substantial” damage:   18 reports     (29% of total) 

Aircraft “destroyed”:   9 reports     (15% of total) 

Recent registration (within previous 12 months):   12 reports     (19% of total) 

(Note: FAA preliminary reports no longer identify the purpose of the flight involved in mishap.  Consequently the number and percentage of Beech mishaps that occur during dual instruction will become less and less accurate over time.  Since the late 1990s the percentage of Beech mishaps that take place during dual flight instruction has remained very consistently about 10%). 

By Aircraft Type:

Be35 Bonanza  13 reports

Be33 Debonair/Bonanza   11 reports 

Be36 Bonanza   8 reports 

Be55 Baron    8 reports      

Be58 Baron   7 reports 

Be23 Musketeer/Sundowner  5 reports 

Be24 Sierra  3 reports  

Be18 Twin Beech  2 reports 

Be60 Duke   2 reports

Be95 Travel Air  2 reports 

Be56 Baron  1 report 

Be76 Duchess   1 report 

PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF CAUSE (all subject to update per NTSB findings):

LANDING GEAR-RELATED MISHAPS  (23 reports; 37% of total))

Gear collapse (landing)

12 reports (Be18; two Be24s; three Be35; two Be36s; two Be55s; two Be58s)

Gear up landing

8 reports (four Be33s; Be35; Be36; Be55; Be95)

Gear collapse (touch and go)

1 report (Be55)

Gear collapse—known inadvertent pilot activation of gear on ground

1 report (Be55)

Gear up landing—known mechanical system failure

1 report (Be60)

ENGINE FAILURE  (9 reports; 15% of total)

Engine failure in flight

3 reports (Be33; Be35; Be58)

Fuel starvation

2 reports (Be23; Be35)

Engine failure on takeoff

1 report (Be36)

Engine failure on takeoff—loss of oil pressure

1 report (Be33)

Engine failure in flight—loss of oil pressure

1 report (Be36)

Engine failure in flight—piston/cylinder failure

1 report (Be36)

CAUSE UNKNOWN   (6 reports; 10% of total)

Crash/Unknown

3 reports (Be23; Be35; Be60)

Landing/Unknown

3 reports (two Be35s; Be58)

MISCELLANEOUS CAUSES  (6 reports; 10% of total) 

Taxied into obstruction/pedestrian/other aircraft

3 reports (two Be35s; Be95)

Bird strike

1 report (Be33)

Smoke in cabin in flight/possible electrical fire

1 report (Be58)

Blown tire on landing

1 report (Be58)

IMPACT-RELATED FAILURE ON LANDING  (5 reports; 8% of total)

Loss of directional control on landing

3 reports (Be23; Be24; Be58)

Hard landing

2 reports (Be23; Be36)

CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN  (4 reports; 7% of total)

Attempted visual flight in IMC—mountainous terrain

2 reports (Be23; Be33)

Controlled flight into terrain—cruise flight/mountainous terrain

2 reports (Be35; Be55)

IMPACT WITH OBJECT DURING TAKEOFF   (4 reports; 7% of total)

Runway excursion—low visibility takeoff

1 report (Be33)

Impact with object/animal during takeoff

1 report (Be55)

Failure to climb—contamination with snow/frost

1 report (Be35)

Loss of control during takeoff

1 report (Be18)

LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT  (3 reports; 5% of total) 

Loss of control during practice maneuvers at altitude

1 report (Be33)

Loss of control-- approach in IMC

1 report (Be35)

Loss of control—pilot incapacitation

1 report (Be56)

STALL/SPIN  (2 reports; 3% of total)   

Stall during circling maneuver in low IMC

1 report (Be55)

Stall or spiral during go-around/missed approach

1 report (Be76)

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