# NTSB ATL99LA069: Beech 58, N80UL, Nashville, TN, April 6, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 1999, 04:50 local (09:50 UTC) - Place: Nashville, TN - Location: 36.1245° N, 86.6782° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NASHVILLE INTL (BNA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1245&lon=-86.6782&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46025 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46025/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's inflight decision to land on a runway with a strong cross wind, rather then on a runway into the wind. A factor was the strong cross wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The approach controller issued the pilot an approach clearance to runway 2C. While on final approach, the pilot recalled that there were rain showers and high winds associated with thunderstorm activity in the immediate vicinity of the approach facilities. Upon realizing that his final approach altitude was too high, the pilot requested a landing on runway 2L. The controller cleared the flight to land on the requested runway; however, the airplane collided with the ground as the pilot maneuvered for a landing back to runway 2C, and came to rest about 200 yards left of the approach end of the runway. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane during the flight. The pilot reported experiencing moderate rain and strong winds out of the northwest while maneuvering for the landing. A review of the available runways at the airport revealed that runway 31 was available and was 11,000 feet long. The prevailing winds at the time of the accident were 300 degrees at 19 knots with wind gust to 20 knots. According to the flight manual for the Beech 58, the cross wind component is approximately 19 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 1999, at 0450 central daylight time, a Beech 58, N80UL, collided with the ground and burst into flames during an instrument approach to runway 2C at the Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tennessee. The cargo flight was operated by Paragon Air Express Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135 with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Memphis, Tennessee, at 0340. The pilot reported that upon arriving in the Nashville area, the approach controller issued him an approach clearance to runway 2C. While on final approach, the pilot recalled that there were rain showers and high winds associated with thunderstorm activity in the immediate vicinity of the approach facilities. Upon realizing that his final approach altitude was too high, the pilot requested a 2L landing; the controller cleared the flight to land on runway 2L. The airplane collided with the ground as the pilot maneuvered for a landing back to runway 2C (see attached pilot accident report form). Examination of the accident site disclosed that the airplane came to rest about 200 yards left of the approach end of runway 2C, and was oriented on a southwest heading. There was extensive fire damage to both outboard panels of the wing assembly. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane during the flight. The pilot reported experiencing moderate rain and strong winds out of the northwest while maneuvering for the landing. A review of the pilot's flight training records disclosed that the pilot completed his initial operation training on January 11, 1999. The pilot had accumulated a total of 1353 flight hours as a pilot of which 176 hours had been flown in the Beech 58. A review of the available runways at Nashville International Airport revealed that runway 31 was available and is 11,000 feet long. The prevailing winds at the time of the accident were 300 degrees at 19 knots with wind gust to 20 knots. According to the flight manual for the Beech 58, the cross wind component is approximately 19 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80UL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80UL-2003-08-20), registration cancelled 2003-08-20, S/N TH-1118, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 58 - Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH-1008 - Airframe hours: 6927 - Engines: Continental IO-520CB40 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Paragon Air Express, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 18, 1999, 60 hours before - Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN - Destination: BNA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BNA, Nashville International, runway 2, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,353 total, 176 in this make and model, 176 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 300° at 19 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BNA ## 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 19990406019609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990406019609A), Apr 6, 1999: Beech 58, Nashville, TN, Substantial damage. On April 6, 1999, at 0450 central daylight time, a Beech 58, N80UL, collided with the ground and burst into flames during an instrument approach to runway 2C… 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.