# NTSB ATL87LA110: Beech C23, N6021X, Branchville, AL, April 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1987, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Branchville, AL
- Coordinates: 33.68085, -86.389587 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6808&lon=-86.3896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA110

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS LDG AT THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP TO THE NORTH WITH A TAILWIND, BECAUSE TREES LOCATED ON THE NORTH END OF THE RWY PRECLUDED LDG TO THE SOUTH INTO THE WIND.  HE MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON THE 1,754 FT RUNWAY; WITNESSES REPORTED THAT A 7-12 KT TAILWIND EXISTED AND THAT ALL THREE ATTEMPTS WERE TOO FAST.  THE PLT REPORTED THAT ON THE THIRD 'AND DECIDED FINAL' ATTEMPT, HE FORCED THE ACFT TO TOUCH DOWN AND IT BOUNCED.  HE INITIATED ANOTHER GO-AROUND AND THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE 60 FT HIGH TREES AT THE NORTH END OF THE RWY, STALLED, ROLLED RIGHT AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT DID NOT TOUCH DOWN UNTIL ABOUT MID-FIELD ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6021X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6021X-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N M-2155, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2155
- Airframe hours: 2396
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark H. Mc Elroy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 31, 1987, 112 hours before
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Airport: AL57, Pickett'S Flyin Arpt, runway 36, 1,754 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 243 total, 164 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 18 nm away

## 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 19870412009119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870412009119A), Apr 12, 1987: Beech C23, Branchville, AL, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit trees during a go around. The pilot attempted a downwind landing on a short airstrip.

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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