# NTSB CEN20LA174: Cessna T240, N25HE, Gonazales, TX, May 6, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 6, 2020, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Gonazales, TX - Coordinates: 29.524999, -97.462219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5250&lon=-97.4622&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 101259 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101259/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101259 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA174 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to retract the speedbrakes during a delayed go-around attempt, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported landing about one-third of the way down the runway. He did not believe the airplane would be able to stop on the remaining runway and decided to execute a go-around. The pilot added full engine power and left the flaps at the takeoff position. He did not recall retracting the speedbrakes and noted the airplane seemed to get "no lift." The airplane subsequently departed the runway pavement, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination revealed the cockpit speedbrake switch was in the UP position. The airframe manufacturer noted the speedbrakes were actuated by the instrument panel-mounted switch and will not retract automatically due to a go-around condition, by pressing the go-around button, or with throttle lever advancement. The pilot commented the go-around could have been initiated earlier; if so, he may have had more time to fully prepare for a go-around. It is likely that the pilot did not retract the speedbrakes during the delayed go-around attempt, which resulted in a reduction of lift and a subsequent runway excursion. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 2020, about 1650 central daylight time, a Cessna T240 airplane, N25HE, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion after landing at the Roger M. Dreyer Memorial Airport (T20), Gonzales, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern for runway 33 and set the wing flaps to the takeoff (12°) position. The airspeed on final approach was about 130 kts and he extended the speed brakes to reduce the speed. He did not use full landing flaps (40°) because he was concerned about the "strong wind gusts." The airplane touched down approximately one-third of the way down the runway at about 100 kts. The pilot stated he did not believe the airplane would be able to stop on the remaining runway and decided to execute a go-around. He added full engine power and left the flaps at the takeoff (12°) position. He did not recall retracting the speed brakes and noted the airplane seemed to get "no lift." The airplane subsequently departed the runway pavement and came to rest about 200 yards beyond the end of the runway in a field. The pilot commented the go-around could have been initiated earlier. He stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions before the accident. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane at the accident site. At the time of the examination, the cockpit speed brake switch was in the UP position. The speed brakes were in the down (retracted) position at that time consistent with the airplane electrical power being off. Recovery personnel confirmed damage to the right wing and engine mount. The airplane flight manual (AFM) noted the speed brakes can be used for glide path control on final approach and airspeed reduction. Both the normal and short field landing checklists specified, "SPD BRK Switch – UP (as desired)" after touching down. The balked landing (go-around) checklist included retracing the speed brakes, "SPD BRK Switch – DN." The amplified landing procedures contained in the AFM did not include any additional guidance related to the use of the speed brakes. According to the airframe manufacturer, the speed brakes are electrically actuated by the cockpit instrument panel mounted switch. They will not retract automatically due to a go-around condition, pressing the go-around button, or throttle lever advancement. The flight manual systems description stated there are three conditions that will automatically retract the speed brakes: if the circuit breaker is pulled, if they deploy asymmetrically, or due to a low voltage electrical condition. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25HE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25HE), registered now, S/N T24002027, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T240 - Registry model: [Cessna T240](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t240) (registry code 2073460) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-550-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-550-c) (registry code 17246, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T24002027 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 590.2 - Engines: Continental Motors TSIO-550-C21B 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clearshot Air LLC - Registered owner: Clearshot Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 2019, 81 hours before - Departed: PGR, Paragould, AR - Destination: T20, Gonazales, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: T20, Roger M Dreyer Memorial, runway 33, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 5, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 696 total, 130 in this make and model, 544 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: T20, 1 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 20200506002169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200506002169A), May 6, 2020: Cessna T240, Gonzales, TX, Substantial damage. N25HE a Cessna T240 on may 6, 2020 was on a flight from paragould, ar (kpgr) to Gonzales, TX (T20). Weather was reported as clear, 87 degrees and wind from 080… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101259. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 904 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484646&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Supplemental Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplemental%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Conversation Summary -- Airplane Recovery Operator (item 4, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Summary%20--%20Airplane%20Recovery%20Operator-Master.PDF - Conversation Summary -- Textron Aviation (item 5, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Summary%20--%20Textron%20Aviation-Master.PDF - Airplane Flight Manual -- Excerpts (item 6, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Flight%20Manual%20--%20Excerpts-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.