ATL02LA106

NTSB accident investigation · Beech 35 · Hernando, MS · May 23, 2002

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 23, 2002, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
Place
Hernando, MS
Injuries
4 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N2925BBeech 35
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 15, 2003
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Jaskson FSDO
FAA report
20020523009619A
Case key
54790

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain wing tip clearance during an attempted takeoff that resulted in the collision with the ground.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skidTakeoff - initial climb
Clearance - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterTakeoff - initial climb
Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

The airplane impacted the ground, during a soft field takeoff. After taking off, the pilot lowered the nose and attempted to enter ground effect. The airplane then started to drift to the left. The pilot neutralized the wings, and corrected with right rudder. The airplane's right wing pitched up and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest approximately 1,500 feet down the runway. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane.

Factual narrative

On May 23, 2002, at 1730 central daylight time, a Beech 35, N2925B, registered to and operated by a private pilot, impacted the terrain, at Hernando Village Airpark, Hernando, Mississippi, during a soft field take off. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The flight departed Hernando Village Airpark, Hernando, Mississippi, at 1715.

According to the pilot, he was conducting a soft field take off of runway 14. After lift off, the pilot lowered the nose of the airplane. The pilot noted that he had to add more right rudder than usual as the airplane started to drift left of the center of the runway. The pilot stated that he then leveled the wings so that he would not need crosswind correction. At this time, the airplane started to drift to the left, and efforts by the pilot to correct the left drift failed. The airplane's right wing pitched up and the left wing stuck the ground. The airplane came to rest approximately 1500 feet to the left of the runway.

Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing was buckled at the leading and trailing edges. The fuselage showed evidence of buckling at the rear passenger seat area. The engine mount was separated from the firewall. The engine was separated from the mounts. Both propellers blades were bent, and twisted aft towards the fuselage. The right main landing gear collapsed and the nose strut was broken. The left wing tip, and outboard aileron flight control surface were also damaged. The private pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical difficulties with the airplane prior to the accident. The Beech 35 is a low wing airplane.

Aircraft

Registration
N2925B
Reported as
Beech 35
Category
Airplane
Serial number
D 3566
Airframe hours
3,038
Engine
Continental E-225, 205 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
John R Osborne
Registered owner
John R Osborne
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · January 2, 2002 · 40 hours before
Departed
H75 · Hernando, MS
Airport
H75 · Hernando Village Airpark, Inc, runway 14, 3,340 × 65 ft, grass/turf

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
45
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
122 total · 38 in this make and model · 45 as pilot in command · 15 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
150° at 9 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
79 °F, dew point 54 °F
Altimeter
30.04 inHg
Observed at
GWO

Docket · 4

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 17, 2003, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 495 KB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.