# NTSB ATL91LA170: Beech B-33, N1782G, Asheville, NC, September 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1991, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Asheville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.359504, -80.189476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3595&lon=-80.1895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA170

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.  FACTORS WERE TALL WET GRASS, AND THE FAILURE OF AIRPORT PERSONNEL TO MAINTAIN THE RUNWAY SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - runway maintenance - not maintained, airport personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A NORMAL TAKEOFF FROM A TURF AIRSTRIP WITH TALL AND WET GRASS.  AS THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT A SAFE TAKEOFF AND CLIMBOUT WERE NOT POSSIBLE.  HE ELECTED TO REJECT THE TAKEOFF.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1782G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1782G), registered now, S/N CD-510, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B-33
- Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD 510
- Airframe hours: 4467
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Groendyke, Sanford N
- Registered owner: Groendyke, Sanford N
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1991, 22 hours before
- Departed: NC33, MILLS RIVER, NC
- Airport: NC33, Ritter Airpark, runway 23, 2,150 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,185 total, 2,397 in this make and model, 4,060 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 20 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 19910903040129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910903040129A), Sep 3, 1991: Beech 35B33, Hendersonville, NC, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff short strip in tall wet grass. Realized unable and aborted late. Ran off end runway into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N1782G (1)

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.

- [NTSB DIA69F0059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69F0059), Jul 30, 1968: Beech 35-B33 (N1782G), Ocean City, MD, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.