Mastery Flight Training

Mastery Flight Training, Inc. Beech Weekly Accident Update archives

September 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!

9/2/04 Report

Beechcraft Piston Aircraft Accidents posted 8/27/04 through 9/02/04

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.

**THE WEEKLY ACCIDENT UPDATE IS AN INDEPENDENT PRODUCT OF MASTERY FLIGHT TRAINING, INC.**

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

8/27 2230Z (1530 local): No injuries and only “minor” damage resulted when a Be55, “after departure (from San Jose, California), lost (engine) power and (a subsequent) inflight fire” before making “an emergency landing at South County Airport, San Martin, California.” Weather was “not reported.” N4421W is a B55, model year not reported, registered since 1992 to a corporation in San Jose.

(“Engine failure in flight: engine fire”—sounds like the pilot did a great job, including diverting to a departure alternate, which may not always be the airport from whence the flight began)

8/27 2322Z (1822 local): A Be36 landed gear up on runway 19 at Batesville, Mississippi, concluding an IFR trip from Columbia, Missouri. The pilot and three passengers weren’t hurt; damage is “minor.” Weather: “clear and 10” with surface winds from 150 degrees at seven knots. N9008V is a 1969 Model 36 registered since 2001 to a corporation in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

(“Gear up landing”)

8/29 1800Z (1200 local): Two aboard a Be35 died when the Bonanza “crashed into a house under unknown circumstances” at Kalispell, Montana. The airplane has “unknown” damage. Weather: “few clouds” at 6000 feet, 7500 broken visibility 10, with surface winds at eight knots. N63AC is/was a 1952 C35, “registration pending” to an individual in Kalispell.

(“Crash/unknown”; “Fatal”; “Recent registration”)

8/29 1920Z (1420 local): A Be18, landing after a “pleasure” trip from Spooner, Wisconsin, suffered a right main gear collapse on landing at Airlake Airport, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The pilot and one passenger were unhurt while a third occupant of the Twin Beech reports “minor” injuries. The airplane has “substantial” damage. Weather was 2600 scattered, visibility 10 miles, with an eight-knot surface wind. N5180V is a 1959 C45H registered since 2001 to a corporation in Spooner.

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

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

**8/21 B55 engine failure on takeoff at Roosevelt, Utah. http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040824X01274&key=1 **

**8/24 C23 engine failure at Shreveport, Louisiana. Add “serious injuries” to two of the three aboard. http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040826X01295&key=1 **

9/9/04 Report

Beechcraft Piston Aircraft Accidents posted 9/03/04 through 9/09/04

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.

**THE WEEKLY ACCIDENT UPDATE IS AN INDEPENDENT PRODUCT OF MASTERY FLIGHT TRAINING, INC.**

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

9/3 2330Z (1630 local): Two aboard a Be33 avoided injury despite “substantial” aircraft damage, when the airplane “had a pitch control malfunction and crashed on landing on Rwy 29L at Fresno, (California) International Airport.” Weather was “unknown.” N1854N is a 1981 F33A recently (August 2004) registered to an individual in Tustin, California.

(“Flight control malfunction—loss of pitch control”; “Substantial damage”; “Recent registration”)

9/4 2049Z (1649 local): A Be55’s “wing caught fire on start-up,” resulting in “substantial” damage. The solo pilot exited the airplane with no injuries. Weather: “not reported.” N9779Y is a 1963 A55 registered since 1995 to a Wilmington, Delaware corporation.

(“Fire/explosion on the ground”; “Substantial damage”—this is the second of this type of report we’ve seen this year. This sort of incident is usually the result of a leaking or improperly repaired fuel system combined with ignition provided by lights or other electrical devices.)

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

**8/22 Baron 58 runway excursion avoiding deer, and subsequent fire that destroyed the airplane. http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040907X01354&key=1 . (Similar to the Baron gear-up landing in Papua New Guinea earlier this year, a small fire became visible well after the impact that quickly grew to engulf and destroy the entire airplane. There’s little in an airplane besides fuel that should be able to support a sustained fire. A well-known aircraft interior shop owner tells me, however, that in his experience the black, spray-in soundproofing material used until recently in the production of Beechcraft absorbs lubricants, oils and cleaning solutions over the years and becomes quite flammable according to his tests. If this is true, a spark created on impact may smolder for a while before setting off a more disastrous fire. In my opinion testing of the insulation in older airplanes is in order to detect whether this is an actual threat).**

**8/29 double-fatality C35 crash into a house on takeoff at Kalispell, Montana. Change “Crash/Unknown” to “Engine Failure on Approach/Landing,” with a subsequent loss of aircraft control. http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20040908X01367&key=1 **

9/16/04 Report

Beechcraft Piston Aircraft Accidents posted 9/10/04 through 9/16/04

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.

**THE WEEKLY ACCIDENT UPDATE IS AN INDEPENDENT PRODUCT OF MASTERY FLIGHT TRAINING, INC.**

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

9/6 2100Z (1600 local): A Be18, on a skydiver lift at Tullahoma, Tennessee, “blew a tire on (the) takeoff roll, veered to the right and ran off the runway, knocking of (its) landing gear.” The pilot was not hurt, while injuries to an unreported number of skydivers are “unknown.” The Twin Beech has “substantial damage.” Weather was 4500 scattered, visibility 10, with surface winds from 090 at five knots. N432U is a 1956 E18S registered since 1998 to a corporation based in Winthrop, Washington.

(“Runway excursion—blown tire on takeoff”; “Substantial damage”)

9/8 2015Z (1415 local): After arrival at Casper, Wyoming, a Be60 “was departing the taxiway for the ramp area when the nose gear struck a manhole cover. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane skid approximately 15 feet before coming to rest on its nose. Both propellers impacted the ground and the wheel well structure was crushed and torn.” The solo pilot was unhurt and damage deemed “substantial.” Visual weather conditions prevailed. N1551L is a 1976 B60 registered since 1998 to a corporation in Cody, Wyoming.

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

9/11 0255Z (2155 local 9/10/04): Completing an IFR trip in clear, night conditions, a Be35 “landed gear up on (Indianapolis, Indiana’s) Rwy 33 and skidded off the runway into the grass.” The solo pilot wasn’t injured and damage is “minor.” Surface winds were from 070 degrees at six knots and visibility was 10 miles. N4529M is a 1978 V35B registered since 1998 to a corporation in Wilmington, Delaware.

(“Gear up landing”; “Night”)

9/13 0112Z (1812 local 9/12/04): A Be36 with four aboard “could not gain altitude” attempting to depart Evergreen Sky Ranch Airport, Black Diamond, Washington. The Bonanza “crashed through (a) fence at (the) end of (the) runway” and “hit a parked trailer.” All four occupants have “serious” injuries including burns, and the airplane “substantial” damage. Weather was not reported. N100EV is a 1993 A36 recently (August 2004) registered to an Eagle River, Alaska-based corporation.

(“Runway overrun—unable to attain climb”; “Serious injuries”; “Substantial damage”—local TV press accounts showed the Bonanza embedded inside a large, charred trailer, which a reader reports contained motorcycles and gasoline. That reader also reports witnesses as stating “the engine was losing power.” The FAA registry shows the airplane to be equipped with a "TSIO-550" engine; I'm not aware of any Bonanzas equipped with this engine but airplanes equipped with factory or aftermarket turbochargers tend to be nose-heavy, increasing ground roll requirement [due to increased weight; higher pitch "breakout force" and possibly a pilot-induced delay caused by applying insufficient back pressure to "rotate" and/or the airplane's increased lag time to respond to the input; and the higher drag that results form the greater control deflection needed to attain takeoff pitch attitude] and reducing initial climb rate).

9/16 0026Z (1726 local 9/15/04): A Be36 “landed gear up and sustained substantial damage,” at Brawley, California. The solo pilot avoided injury. Weather during the solo “training” flight was “clear and 10” with an 11-knot wind. N2531U is a 1986 A36 registered since 1997 to a corporation based in Crawley.

(“Gear up landing”; “Substantial damage”)

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

**8/29 Twin Beech landing mishap at Lakeville, Minnesota. Change “Gear collapse on landing” to “Loss of directional control on landing” in a gusty crosswind.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20040910X01400&key=1

**9/3 F33A pitch control malfunction at Fresno, California. “When the wing flaps were partially extended, his ability to move the control yoke was noticeably restricted.” The report does not state where the landing at Fresno was attempted with or without flaps, the pilot again “lost pitch control” in the flare and crashed. http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20040910X01394&key=1 **

**9/4 A55 wing explosion on start-up at Louisville Kentucky. Overfilling the tank, with fuel igniting on contact with hot engine exhaust after start and translating somehow to an explosion inside the wing, is suspected.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20040915X01434&key=1 **

**9/8 Duke taxi mishap at Casper, Wyoming, cited above. http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20040910X01387&key=1 **

9/23/04 Report

Beechcraft Piston Aircraft Accidents posted 9/17/04 through 9/23/04

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.

**THE WEEKLY ACCIDENT UPDATE IS AN INDEPENDENT PRODUCT OF MASTERY FLIGHT TRAINING, INC.**

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

9/19 2033Z (1533 local): A Be36’s “gear was stuck in the up position.” The pilot “landed on (a) grassy area” at Dothan, Alabama’s airport. The solo pilot reports no injury and damage is “minor.” Weather: “sky clear” with a 10-knot surface wind. N6696D is a 1980 A36 recently (February 2004) registered to a corporation in Daleville, Alabama.

(“Gear up landing”; “Recent registration”—might the manual landing gear extension procedure have helped, or was this a “true” mechanical gear failure? Was this among the many Beechcraft that have an improperly installed spar cover after maintenance, and an inaccessible manual gear extension handcrank? Was systems knowledge from the initial pilot checkout of the new owner a factor?)

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

**9/12 three-serious-injuries A36 takeoff overrun at Auburn, Washington. Change “substantial damage” to “aircraft destroyed.” According to witnesses “the aircraft remained on the ground well beyond the point where it should have normally lifted off, and after becoming airborne it never climbed more than about five feet above the terrain.” http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20040920X01465&key=1 **

9/30/04 Report

Beechcraft Piston Aircraft Accidents posted 9/24/04 through 9/30/04

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.

**THE WEEKLY ACCIDENT UPDATE IS AN INDEPENDENT PRODUCT OF MASTERY FLIGHT TRAINING, INC.**

NEW REPORTS THIS WEEK

9/23 2000Z (1500 local): A Be33’s “door came open on takeoff. (The) aircraft executed a hard landing on return and broke the nose gear,” at Estherville, Iowa. The pilot, alone in the airplane, was not hurt; damage is “minor.” Weather was “few clouds” at 4600 feet, 6000 scattered visibility 10 miles, with surface winds from 210 degrees at 14 gusting to 22 knots. This was recorded as a solo “training” flight. N5819K is a 1965 C33 registered since 2001 to a college aviation program in Estherville.

(“Hard landing—gear collapse”—with the added factors of the open door and strong, gusty surface winds. The classic Beech “door open at takeoff” distraction-related mishap)

9/23 2323Z (1923 local): Completing a trip from Alexandria, Louisiana to Atlanta, Georgia’s Cobb County—McCollum Field, a Be24 sustained “minor” damage on landing under “unknown” circumstances. The solo pilot was unhurt. Weather was 20,000 scattered, clear visibility with calm winds. N724PF is a 1975 C24R recently (December 2003) registered to an individual in Marietta, Georgia.

(“Landing/Unknown”; “Recent registration”)

9/27 1700Z (1200 local): A Be23 made a “hard landing” during a local flight at New Braunfels, Texas. The solo pilot was not hurt and damage is “minor.” Weather: “not reported.” N2347W is a 1966 A23A registered since 2002 to an individual in Helotes, Texas.

(“Hard landing”)

9/28 0352Z (1952 local): A local “pleasure” flight ended with a gear up landing for a Be35 at dusk, at Medford, Oregon. There were no injuries to the lone pilot, and damage is “minor.” Weather at Medford was “clear and 10” with a four-knot wind. N4376W is a 1974 V35B recently (May 2004) registered to a partnership in Medford.

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

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 preliminary reports this week**

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