# NTSB ATL98LA038: Beech 65-A90, N911KA, Selmer, TN, January 22, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1998, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Selmer, TN
- Coordinates: 35.170612, -88.589096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1706&lon=-88.5891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA038

## Probable cause

The loss of control on the ground, due to hydroplaning, and a collision with trees.  A factor was the rain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,hydroplaning condition - entered (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, upon landing in heavy rain, the airplane began hydroplaning.  He said the airplane departed the left side of the runway, striking trees, which damaged both wings and collapsed the landing gear. A witness stated the airplane touched down in moderate rain.

## Factual narrative

On January 22, 1998, about 0730 central standard time, a Beech 65-A90, N911KA, slid off the side of runway 17 and collided with trees during landing at the Robert Sibley Airport, Selmer, Tennessee.  The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and instrument flight rules.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The commercial pilot and sole occupant was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Nashville, Tennessee at 0630.

According to the pilot, upon landing in heavy rain, the airplane began hydroplaning.  He said the airplane departed the left side of the runway, striking trees, which damaged both wings and collapsed the landing gear. A witness stated the airplane touched down in moderate rain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N911KA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N911KA-2000-03-30), registration cancelled 2000-03-30, S/N LJ-254 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech 65-A90
- Registry model: [Beech 65-A90](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65-a90) (registry code 1152908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LJ254
- Airframe hours: 8842
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanton M. Smith, doing business as Global Air Services, Inc
- Registered owner: Global Air Services, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 26, 1997, 42 hours before
- Departed: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Destination: SZY, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SZY, Robert Sibley Airport, runway 17, 5,002 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,190 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,190 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKL, 50 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 19980122000499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980122000499A), Jan 22, 1998: Beech 65A90, Selmer, TN, Substantial damage. Landed on wet runway. Hydroplaned. Lost control. Slid off runway into trees. 100 ft from runway.

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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