# NTSB CEN15LA144: Beech 58, N297AT, Denver, CO, February 16, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 15, 2015, 22:45 local (Feb 16, 2015, 05:45 UTC) - Place: Denver, CO - Coordinates: 39.569999, -104.849441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5700&lon=-104.8494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90730/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90730 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA144 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a rejected takeoff from a slush-covered runway at night. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified; cases with it: [Beech 58, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/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 58, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 58, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 58, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after the cargo was loaded onto the airplane for the night flight, he performed a contamination check of the airplane, and the airplane was free of contamination. After performing the run-up checks, the pilot activated the anti-ice systems and taxied onto the runway; he noted that air traffic control had reported about an hour before the accident that about 1/2 inch of wet snow had accumulated on the runway and that the runway surface was unplowed and "slushy." He started the takeoff roll and, as the airplane rotated, slush from the runway hit the windshield, and the pilot lost all forward visibility. Once airborne, the airplane drifted left, and the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. The pilot reported that he "had difficulty maintaining directional control" and that he tried to land the airplane back on the runway, but it impacted the side of the runway and struck a runway light. Once the airplane was stopped on the runway, he taxied it back to the hangar. The examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2015, about 2245 mountain standard time, a Beech 58, N297AT, sustained substantial damage to the right wing during a rejected takeoff from runway 17L (10,001 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the Centennial Airport (APA), Denver, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by GTA Air Inc. under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as a cargo flight. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The intended destination was the Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS), Chesterfield, Missouri. The pilot reported that the airplane was put into a heated hangar prior to the cargo arriving at the hangar. Once the cargo arrived about 2219, the airplane was towed onto the ramp where the 192 pounds of cargo was loaded onto the airplane. The pilot performed a contamination check of the airplane, and he reported that the airplane was free of contamination. He stated that air traffic control was reporting that about 1/2-inch of wet snow had accumulated on the runway surfaces. After performing the run-up checks, the pilot activated the anti-ice systems and taxied onto runway 17L. The pilot reported that the runway surface was unplowed and "slushy." He applied power and started the takeoff roll. He reported that as the airplane rotated, slush from the runway hit the windshield, and he lost all forward visibility. Once airborne, the airplane drifted left, and he attempted to abort the takeoff. The pilot reported that he "had difficulty maintaining directional control" and he tried to land back on the runway, but the airplane impacted the side of the runway and struck a runway light. Once the airplane was stopped on the runway, he taxied back to the hangar. The examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing sustained substantial damage and the left wing had minor damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At 2150, the airport issued a Notice to Airmen that indicated that runway 17L had 1/2-inch of wet snow, and the braking action was fair. The surface weather observation at APA at 2200 was: wind calm; visibility 1 mile; light snow and mist; ceiling broken 500 feet, overcast 1,400 feet; temperature -3 C; dew point -3 C; and altimeter 30.12 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N297AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N297AT-2015-08-03), registration cancelled 2015-08-03, S/N TH1349, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 58 - Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH1349 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 12851 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-520-CB41B 285 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR IO-520-CB41B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: GTA Air Inc - Registered owner: GTA Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 29, 2014 - Departed: APA, Denver, CO - Destination: SUS, Chesterfield, MO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: APA, Centenial Airport, runway 17L, 10,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 5,465 total, 699 in this make and model, 228 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Visibility: 1 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: APA ## 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 20150215001579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150215001579A), Feb 15, 2015: Beech 58, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. On February 15, 2015, at Centennial Airport (apa) Englewood co. aircraft N297AT, a BE-58, was involved in an accident. The accident occurred at approximately… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90730. 10.4 MB in all. - ARA Ops Report (item 1, .PDF, 9 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426179&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ARA%20Ops%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Tac Air Statement (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426180&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tac%20Air%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Right Wing (item 3, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426182&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Wing-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right Wing (item 4, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426183&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Wing-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Left Wing (item 5, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426184&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Left%20Wing-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.