# NTSB BFO91LA001: Beech B23, N4005T, Westminster, MD, October 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1990, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Westminster, MD
- Coordinates: 39.569671, -77.00019 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5697&lon=-77.0002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA001

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING. IMPROPER CROSSWIND COMPENSATION AND A VARIABLE, GUSTY CROSSWIND WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT THE CROSSWIND CAUSED HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT OVER-CORRECTED. THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED BACK ACROSS THE RUNWAY, ACROSS A GRASSY AREA, AND IMPACTED A SMALL BRUSH-COVERED BERM LOCATED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE OUT OF 250 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 18 KNOTS; THE ACTIVE RUNWAY WAS RUNWAY 16.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4005T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4005T-1993-12-14), registration cancelled 1993-12-14, S/N M1111 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B23
- Registry model: [Beech B23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b23) (registry code 1151240) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-1111
- Airframe hours: 2537
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leslie A. Wall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1990, 10 hours before
- Airport: W54, Carroll County Airport, runway 16, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 125 total, 11 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19901006044289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901006044289A), Oct 6, 1990: Beech 23BEECH, Westminister, MD, Substantial damage. Swerved due crosswind landing. Overcorrected off other side runway into brush covered berm.

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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