# NTSB ATL05CA138: Beech C24R, N67076, Lumberton, NC, August 6, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 6, 2005, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Lumberton, NC
- Coordinates: 34.616111, -79.065834
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6161&lon=-79.0658&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Greensboro
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA138

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper/inadequate evaluation of the weather, which resulted into flight into a thunderstorm.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

The flight departed Rock Hill Airport on a cross country flight to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina by way of Lumberton, North Carolina. Upon crossing Lumberton, the pilot saw thunderstorms 16 miles east and southeast of Lumberton Municipal Airport.  Instead of continuing the flight to Myrtle Beach, the pilot chose to land at Lumberton, refuel the airplane, and to return to Rock Hill Airport. During the takeoff from runway 05, the pilot reported encountering a downdraft about 50 feet above the ground following liftoff. The airplane then collided with the ground in the grass right of the runway. The post accident examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure.  Emergency crews responding to the accident scene reported a strong gust of wind ranging from 30-40 miles per hour around the time of the accident with thunderstorm activity in the area.

## Factual narrative

The flight departed Rock Hill Airport on a cross country flight to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina by way of Lumberton, North Carolina. Upon crossing Lumberton, the pilot saw thunderstorms 16 miles east and southeast of Lumberton Municipal Airport.  Instead of continuing the flight to Myrtle Beach, the pilot chose to land at Lumberton, refuel the airplane, and to return to Rock Hill Airport. During the takeoff from runway 05, the pilot reported encountering a downdraft about 50 feet above the ground following liftoff. The airplane then collided with the ground in the grass right of the runway. The post accident examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure.  Emergency crews responding to the accident scene reported a strong gust of wind ranging from 30-40 miles per hour around the time of the accident with thunderstorm activity in the area.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67076](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67076-2005-10-14), registration cancelled 2005-10-14, S/N MC-706, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech C24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-706
- Engines: Lycoming I0360 SER A&C 200 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel D Meader
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2005, 29 hours before
- Departed: KLBT
- Destination: KUZA, Rock Hill, SC
- Airport: KLBT, Lumberton, runway 5, 5,510 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 122 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1.75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: KLBT

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20050806018289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050806018289A), Aug 6, 2005: Beech C24R, Lumberton, NC, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot attempted takeoff during an approaching squall line. Winds were gusting above 30 knots across the runway. Soon after lift-off the pilot attempted a…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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