# NTSB CEN09LA446: Beech S35, N13W, Tuscola, IL, July 15, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2009, 18:14 local (23:14 UTC) - Place: Tuscola, IL - Coordinates: 39.780834, -88.306114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7808&lon=-88.3061&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74324 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA446 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74324/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74324 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA446 ## Probable cause The pilot failure to maintain proper speed and distance during approach to land which resulted in landing long and subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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 S35, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151532), [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: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech S35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech S35, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot’s first attempt to land resulted in a go-around because he was too high and fast. During the second landing attempt, the airplane bounced and the pilot did another go-around. Witnesses reported that during the third landing attempt, the airplane touched down about mid-field with too much airspeed. The pilot applied the brakes, but the airplane went off the end of the runway. The pilot made a sharp left turn to avoid hitting a ditch head-on. The right main landing gear and nose gear collapsed, and the right wing came to rest on the road. The pilot reported that he took his hand off the throttle during the flare so that he could have both hands on the yoke. He reported that when he removed his hand from the throttle, it advanced about 200 rpm. An inspection of the airplane revealed that the throttle linkage was hitting the stops. The throttle control was examined and no discrepancies were noted. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 2009, at 1814 central daylight time, a Beech S35, N13W, sustained substantial damage while landing when it departed the end of runway 9 (2,660 feet by 30 feet, gravel) and impacted terrain at the Tuscola Airport (K96), Tuscola, Illinois. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight departed Pikesville, Kentucky, and was landing at K96, the intended destination airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot had filed an instrument flight plan. The pilot and passenger departed Edenton (EDE), North Carolina, at approximately 1430, en route to Pike County Airport (PBX), Pikesville, Kentucky, where the airplane was refueled. The flight departed PBX about 1800. The flight arrived at K96 about 2000. The pilot’s first attempt to land resulted in a go-around because the airplane was too high and fast. During the second landing attempt, the airplane bounced and the pilot did another go-around. The passenger reported that during the third landing attempt, the airplane was too fast. He reported that the airplane touched down about 1/3 or 1/2 way down the runway going “very fast.” The pilot applied the brakes, but the airplane went off the end of the runway. The pilot made a sharp left turn to avoid hitting a ditch head-on. The right main landing gear and nose gear collapsed, and the right wing came to rest on the road. The pilot reported that he took his hand off the throttle during the flare so that he could have both hands on the yoke. He reported that the throttle advanced about 200 rpm when he removed his hand from the throttle. Once on the runway, he put his hand back on the throttle. He was careful to not apply too much braking because of the oil and gravel runway surface. He turned 90 degrees to the left in order to avoid hitting the ditch. A witness at the airport reported that the airplane touched down near midfield. The witness tried to tell the pilot to go-around on his hand held radio because he felt the airplane could not stop within the remaining distance. An examination of the airplane revealed that the throttle linkage was hitting the stops. No discrepancies were noted. The throttle cable was disassembled and all components were found in place and appeared in good condition. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13W-2017-12-04), registration cancelled 2017-12-04, S/N D-7888, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH S35 - Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-7888 - Airframe hours: 3375 - Engines: Continental IO520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: David Hrupsa - Registered owner: David Hrupsa - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2009 - Departed: PBX, Pikesville, KY - Destination: K96, Tuscola, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: K96, Tuscola Airport, runway 09, 2,660 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 32,830 total, 400 in this make and model, 32,830 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Observed at: CMI ## Other investigations on N13W (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX87LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA164), Mar 31, 1987: Beech S35 (N13W), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74324. 975 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 823 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-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.