# NTSB BFO91LA085: Beech 35, N2957V, Cheswold, DE, September 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1991, 14:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Cheswold, DE
- Coordinates: 39.220081, -75.579521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2201&lon=-75.5795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11707/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA085

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ARREST AN EXCESSIVE SINK RATE AND CRAB ANGLE WHILE LANDING HIS AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed(vref) - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A HARD LANDING IN A 20 DEGREE RIGHT CRAB VERY NEAR THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 27. AS THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, THE RIGHT GEAR BROKE AWAY. AFTER CONTINUINING ABOUT 150 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK A SMALL DRAINAGE DITCH ABOUT 20 FEET TO THE NORTH OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2957V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2957V-1992-06-26), registration cancelled 1992-06-26, S/N D352 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-352
- Airframe hours: 1775
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-8 196 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clinton H. Leeland
- Registered owner: Clinton H. Leeland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1991, 25 hours before
- Departed: 2W6, ST MARY'S CO, MD
- Airport: 33N, Delaware Airpark, runway 27, 3,500 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,069 total, 209 in this make and model, 1,069 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DOV, 8 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 19910927043559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910927043559A), Sep 27, 1991: Beech 35BEECH, Dover/Cheswold, DE, Substantial damage. Made hard landing collapsing right main gear. Then left runway into a ditch.

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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