# NTSB CEN09CA120: Beech 58, N70DD, Brainerd, MN, January 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 3, 2009, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Brainerd, MN - Coordinates: 46.38639, -94.136947 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3864&lon=-94.1369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 73201 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73201/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73201 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the unforcasted freezing rain that obscured the windscreen and hindered the pilot's ability to judge the height of the airplane above the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: freezing rain/sleet](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035040/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035040/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md) - [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 58, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot diverted to a nearby airport after he encountered unforecasted freezing rain. He made two low passes over the airport while trying to clear ice off of the windshield; however, the windshield alcohol de-ice could not keep up with the ice accumulation. The pilot stated that he had to look out of the side window during the landing and once he descended below the tree line, he was unable to accurately judge his height over the runway. He stated that this was compounded by the light color of the new concrete runway which had snow blowing across it. A hard landing resulted after which the pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp. The right wing sustained substantial damage during the landing. The pilot stated that the de-ice systems on the airplane were working, but they could not keep up with the rate of ice accumulation ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the flight he encountered unforecasted freezing rain. He questioned air traffic control about the weather and was told that they were not showing any precipitation. The pilot requested and received a descent to a lower altitude to stay below the clouds. The airplane's airspeed continued to decrease and the pilot informed air traffic control that he wanted to divert to a nearby airport. The pilot made two low passes over the airport while trying to clear ice off of the windshield; however, the windshield alcohol de-ice could not keep up with the ice accumulation. The pilot stated he had to look out of the side window during the landing and once he descended below the tree line, he was unable to accurately judge his height over the runway. He stated this was compounded by the light color of the new concrete runway which had snow blowing across it. A hard landing resulted after which the pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp. The right wing strut was bent and the wing was pushed into the fuselage during the landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70DD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70DD-2012-03-27), registration cancelled 2012-03-27, S/N TH-370, built 1973 (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-370 - Airframe hours: 9894 - Engines: Continental IO-520-CB7 285 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-520-CB7 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Bemidji Aviation Services Inc - Registered owner: Bemidji Aviation Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 31, 2008, 3 hours before - Departed: BJI, Bemidji, MN - Destination: ANE, Anoka, MN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BRD, Brainerd - Lakes Regional, runway 16, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 8,680 total, 1,560 in this make and model, 8,304 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: BRD ## 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 20090103002079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090103002079A), Jan 3, 2009: Beech 58, Brainerd, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) On 1-3-2009, at 1300 local time, N70DD a Beech 58 piloted by [privacy data omitted], departed bemidji, MN for anoke, MN. The flight was on an IFR flight… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73201. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40306958&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40306959&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Master.PDF 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.