# NTSB CEN21LA289: Beech H35, N5596D, Watkins, CO, June 22, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 21, 2021, 19:13 local (Jun 22, 2021, 01:13 UTC) - Place: Watkins, CO - Coordinates: 39.793786, -104.5511 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7938&lon=-104.5511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103342 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103342/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA289 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and a subsequent impact with an obstacle. ## 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 H35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 H35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech H35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech H35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech H35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Beech H35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing at his destination airport following a cross-country flight when on touching the airplane’s nose wheel onto the runway, the airplane immediately tracked 10° left of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder, but the airplane did not respond to his input and the airplane departed the left side of the runway impacting a runway sign and separating the nose wheel assembly. The airplane came to rest in an area of dry loose sand. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right front keel beam and left flap. The pilot reported that during the cross-country flight he made one intermediate stop to refuel. The airplane was moved to covered parking following refueling using a golf cart and tow bar, which was connected to the tow pins on the nose gear assembly. The manager at the stopover airport who towed the airplane, reported that nothing abnormal occurred during the tow and he observed no damage on the airplane when the tow bar was attached and detached. An airport video showed the airplane taxi out normally. After the accident, the tow pin in the nose gear assemble was examined. The fracture surface features were consistent with overload due to shear loading. Based on available evidence, it was not determined if the damage to the tow pin occurred during the towing operation or during the accident sequence. The airplane manufacturer reported that a damaged tow pin on the nose gear assembly would not cause a loss of steering ability from the cockpit. Additionally, the manufacturer reported there are no towing limits published for the airplane, nor are there requirements for tow limit markings or a tow limitation placard to be installed on the nose gear assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5596D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5596D), registered now, S/N D-5124, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH H35 - Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-5124 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 6819.1 - Engines: Continental Motors I0-470-N14 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 2020 - Departed: RUE, Russellville, AR - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CFO, Colorado Air And Space Port, runway 08/26, 8,002 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 21,380 total, 3,700 in this make and model, 18,945 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KDEN, 5 nm away - METAR: KDEN 220053Z 17006KT 10SM FEW050 FEW250 22/09 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP137 T02170089 ## 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 20210621008049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210621008049A), Jun 21, 2021: Beech H35, Watkins, CO, Substantial damage. During flight from mlb to cfo, aircraft stopped at rue for fuel. Fuel spill occurred during process. FBO completed fueling and moved aircraft to covered… ## Other investigations on N5596D (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC71FCG42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71FCG42), Feb 7, 1971: Beech B35 (N5596D), Springfield, MO, substantial damage 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.