# NTSB CEN09CA186: Beech A36, N5470V, Athens, TX, March 4, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 4, 2009, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Athens, TX - Coordinates: 32.163887, -95.82833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1639&lon=-95.8283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73426 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73426/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA186 ## Probable cause The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain control during his unauthorized use of the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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 A36, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Intentional act: stolen/unauthorized](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051020): Personnel issues › Miscellaneous · Pilot; cases with it: [Beech A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051020/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Beech A36, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Other: Security/criminal event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/350); cases with it: [Beech A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/350/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/350/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis After jumpstarting the airplane, the non-certificated pilot elected to take off without the airplane owner's knowledge or permission. A short time later the airplane was found in a wooded area approximately 2 miles northeast of the airport. The airplane's right wing had been separated from the fuselage during the impact. The pilot was later apprehended by law enforcement officers while attempting to retrieve his automobile from the airport. Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later interviewed the pilot at the county jail. When asked what had caused the accident, the pilot responded that he didn't know and that another person had crashed the airplane. A witness at the airport saw the pilot take off shortly before the accident and then called the owner of the aircraft, who contacted police. Although the pilot reported to FAA inspectors that he had accumulated 200-300 total flight hours, it could not be verified. ## Factual narrative After jumpstarting the airplane, the non-certificated pilot elected to takeoff without the airplane owner's knowledge or permission. A short time later the airplane was located in a wooded area approximately 2 miles northeast of the airport. The airplane's right wing had been separated from the fuselage during the impact. The pilot was later apprehended by law enforcement officers while attempting to retrieve his automobile from the airport. Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later interviewed the pilot at the county jail. When asked what had caused the accident, the pilot responded that he didn't know and that another person had crashed the airplane. Although the pilot reported to FAA inspectors that he had accumulated 200-300 total flight hours, it could not be verified. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5470V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5470V-2013-11-08), registration cancelled 2013-11-08, S/N E-1712, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550-B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-b) (registry code 17208, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-1712 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: F44, Athens, TX - Destination: Unknown, TX - Airport: F44, Athens Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PSN, 24 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 20090304003339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090304003339A), Mar 4, 2009: Beech A36, Athens, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On March 4, 2009 at approximately 0830, N5470V a BE-36 s/n E-1712 took off from Athens airport (F44). Aircraft was reported stolen immediately after… 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.