# NTSB ATL99LA075: Beech 36, N31291, Williamston, NC, April 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1999, 09:26 local (13:26 UTC) - Place: Williamston, NC - Coordinates: 35.849304, -77.050376 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8493&lon=-77.0504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46166 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46166/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate evaluation of winds that resulted in the loss of directional control during an attempted takeoff with a tailwind. A factor was the tailwind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he experienced a wind gust, and the left wing came up. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff. As the airplane settled back on the runway, it bounced, and veered off the left side of runway 3. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. A review of existing weather data disclosed that the prevailing winds were 300 degrees at 9 knots. Other sources reported that the winds were out of the southwest at 10 knots. Examination of the pilot's certification data revealed that his medical certificate had expired. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1999, at 0926 eastern daylight time, a Beech 36, N31291, veered off the left side of runway 3 and collided with the ground during an attempted takeoff from the Martin County Airport in Williamston, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Williamston, North Carolina, at 0924. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he experienced a wind gust, and the left wing came up. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff. As the airplane settled back on the runway, it bounced, and veered off the left side of the runway. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. A review of existing weather data disclosed that the prevailing winds were 300 degrees at nine knots. Other sources reported that the winds were out of the southwest at ten knots. Examination of the pilot's certification data revealed that his medical certificate had expired. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31291](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31291), registered now, S/N E-2432, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2432 - Airframe hours: 1096 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Reggie Spain - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MCZ - Destination: RALEIGH, NC - Airport: MCZ, Martin County Airport, runway 3, 3,696 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 386 total, 43 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RWI ## 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 19990426020809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990426020809A), Apr 26, 1999: Beech A36, Williamston, NC, Substantial damage. On April 26, 1999, at 0926 eastern daylight time, a Beech 36, N31291, veered off the left side of runway 3 and collided with the ground during an attempted… 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.