# NTSB CEN13CA499: Beech 35, N779RB, Wheeling, IL, August 18, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 18, 2013, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Wheeling, IL - Coordinates: 42.114166, -87.915275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1142&lon=-87.9153&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87833 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA499 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87833/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87833 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA499 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of control due to the passenger’s inadvertent application of left rudder during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech V35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Beech V35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech V35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Beech V35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and two passengers planned on a local flight. The beginning of the takeoff roll was normal, with light wind down the runway. According to the pilot, when the airplane reached about 60-65 knots, the right seat passenger inadvertently pushed on the left rudder pedal. The pilot was unable to stop the turn; the airplane departed the runway surface and proceeded down a grass embankment. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the outboard section of the left wing and aileron. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot and two passengers planned on a local flight. The beginning of the takeoff roll was normal, with light winds down the runway. According to the pilot, when the airplane reached about 60-65 knots, the right seat passenger inadvertently pushed on the left rudder pedal. The pilot was unable to stop the turn; the airplane departed the runway surface and proceeded down a grass embankment. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the outboard section of the left wing and aileron. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N779RB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N779RB), registered now, S/N D-8244, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 35 - Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (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-8244 - Airframe hours: 2400 - Engines: Continental IO-520 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: RBI Trading LLC - Registered owner: RBI Trading LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2013 - Departed: KPWK, Wheeling, IL - Destination: KPWK, Wheeling, IL - Airport: KPWK, Chicago Executive, runway 16, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 3,420 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3,380 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KPWK ## 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 20130818015779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130818015779A), Aug 18, 2013: Beech V35, Wheeling, IL, Substantial damage. PIC stated the passenger in the front seat inadvertently depressed the rudder while stretching his legs during the takeoff roll on rwy 16 at pwk. The… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87833. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399489&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.