# NTSB CEN11CA362: Beech B24R, N9321S, Dowagiac, MI, May 11, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2011, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Dowagiac, MI - Coordinates: 41.993057, -86.128334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9931&lon=-86.1283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-South Bend FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA362 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79270/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79270 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA362 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain an appropriate glide path and airspeed during the landing approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While demonstrating a power-off spot landing to a student, the certified flight instructor (CFI) recognized that the airplane would not make it to the 1,000 foot runway markings he was aiming for, but felt that he would make it to the runway. He allowed the airplane to get too low on the approach at too slow an airspeed. When the airplane was about 30 feet from the runway end at 10 feet above the ground, he began to add engine power, but the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left landing gear. The CFI reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) was demonstrating a power off spot landing to the dual student. The student held a commercial pilot certificate and was observing the maneuver at the time of the accident. The CFI stated that he made one attempted power off spot landing that ended in a go-around because the airplane would not have made it to the runway. He stated that on the second attempt, he again would not make it to the 1,000 foot runway markings he was aiming for, but felt that he would make it to the runway. The CFI stated that he started to add engine power when the airplane was about 30 feet from the runway end and 10 feet above the ground, but it "dropped into the sod." The airplane's left landing gear separated from the wing, and the left wing separated from the fuselage. The CFI reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9321S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9321S-2012-05-15), registration cancelled 2012-05-15, S/N MC-341, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B24R - Registry model: [Beech B24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b24r) (registry code 1151253) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MC-341 - Airframe hours: 4380 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2010 - Departed: BEH, Benton Harbor, MI - Destination: BEH, Benton Harbor, MI - Airport: C91, Dowagiac Municipal, runway 27, 4,700 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 3,518 total, 250 in this make and model, 3,249 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 755 total, 12 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: BEH, 15 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 20110511009519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110511009519A), May 11, 2011: Beech B24R, Dowagiac, MI, Substantial damage. During a practice engine out approach and landing, flight instructor did not begin recovery action to prevent aircraft contact with terrain prior to runway… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79270. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (CFI) (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349635&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(CFI)-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Student) (item 2, .PDF, 293 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Student)-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.