# NTSB CEN09CA336: Beech F33A, N33UB, Midland, TX, June 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2009, 16:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Midland, TX - Coordinates: 31.941381, -102.20486 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9414&lon=-102.2049&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73964 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73964/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73964 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA336 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate oversight of the flight by the instructor pilot. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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 F33A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis After takeoff, the private pilot received instruction from a certified flight instructor to proceed to a nearby training area to practice flight maneuvers. Upon returning to the airport environment, the pilot entered the traffic pattern and conducted a simulated electrical failure and a no-flap landing. On final approach and over the runway, the "nose of the airplane pitched up" and the airplane began a rapid descent. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent with the application of full power and the airplane landed hard. An examination of the airplane revealed that the main landing gear was bent, the wings were wrinkled, and the right wing was bent upward at the flap attachment point. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative After takeoff the private pilot received instruction from a certified flight instructor to proceed to a nearby training area to practice flight maneuvers. Upon returning to the airport environment the airplane entered the traffic pattern and conducted a simulated electrical failure and no-flap landing. On final approach and over the runway, the "nose of the airplane pitched up" and the airplane began a rapid descent. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent with the application of full power and the airplane "landed hard." An examination of the airplane revealed that the main landing gear was bent, the wings were wrinkled, and the right wing was bent upward at the flap attachment point. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33UB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33UB), registered now, S/N CE-1496, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH F33A - Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-1496 - Airframe hours: 4136 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Professional Pilot Program-Midland College - Registered owner: Midland Community College District - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: AAIP, May 29, 2009 - Departed: MDD, Midland, TX - Destination: MDD, Midland, TX - Airport: MDD, Midland Airpark, runway 34, 3,977 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 27 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 24, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 2,812 total, 181 in this make and model, 2,717 as pilot in command, 202 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KMDD, 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 20090603007839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090603007839A), Jun 3, 2009: Beech F33A, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 3, 2009, at approximately 1635 CDT, the flight crew on N33UB, a Beech aircraft model F33A, attempted a flapless landing on runway 34 at Midland… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73964. 658 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.