# NTSB CEN14CA018: Beech A36, N26RG, Telluride, CO, October 13, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 13, 2013, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Telluride, CO - Coordinates: 37.953887, -107.908607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9539&lon=-107.9086&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 4, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 88300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88300/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88300 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off in gusting tailwinds resulting in exceeding the performance capabilities of the airplane and subsequent loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech A36, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Beech A36, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Beech A36, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Beech A36, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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 The pilot stated the reported winds near his departure time were 140 degrees at 24 knots, and he elected to depart from runway 27. During climb out, shortly after he rotated, the airplane weathervaned hard to the left and the stall warning horn sounded. The pilot felt a strong gust of wind as he attempted to clear rising terrain, and thought he encountered a strong down draft or rotor, followed by the airplane impacting terrain. Wind recorded five minutes before the accident was from 130 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 29 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated the reported winds near his departure time were 140 degrees at 24 knots, and he elected to depart from runway 27. During climb out, shortly after he rotated, the airplane weathervaned hard to the left and the stall warning horn sounded. The pilot felt a strong gust of wind as he attempted to clear rising terrain, and thought he encountered a strong down draft or rotor, followed by the airplane impacting terrain. Wind recorded five minutes before the accident was from 130 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 29 knots. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26RG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26RG), registered now, S/N E-2383, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2383 - Year built: 1987 - Airframe hours: 3951 - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2013 - Departed: Telluride, CO - Destination: GUC, Gunnison, CO - Airport: TEX, Telluride Rgnl, runway 27, 7,111 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; last flight review October 13, 2012; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,199 total, 355 in this make and model, 1,091 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 15 knots, gusting 29 - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KTEX ## 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 20131013019289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131013019289A), Oct 13, 2013: Beech A36, Telluride, CO, Destroyed. Immediately after takeoff, aircraft yawed violently to the left and airspeed decayed to near stall. The aircraft remained airborne but with full power the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88300. 855 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 754 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Crosswind Componant Chart (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406855&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Crosswind%20Componant%20Chart-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406856&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.