# NTSB CHI01LA317: Beech 200, N711MZ, Indianapolis, IN, September 19, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 2001, 06:54 local (11:54 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.77003, -86.110458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7700&lon=-86.1105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Indianapolis
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA317

## Probable cause

The pilot not maintaining the proper ILS glide slope during the approach and the pilot not executing a missed approach.  Contributing to the accident was the rain/mist.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,instrument approach lights (contributing factor)

## Analysis

While executing an ILS approach the airplane landed 621 feet short of the runway threshold and impacted portions of the approach light system.  The pilot reported that the weather was IFR with heavy rain and a reported visibility of 1 1/2 statute miles.  The pilot stated that he had the approach light system in sight at the outer marker.  The pilot reported, "Heavy rain and struck approach lights.  Landed ok (moderate chop) about 300 yards from end of runway."  A pilot-rated passenger reported, "We broke out of clouds, but with heavy rain.  I saw the lead in lights to the runway and told the pilot.  Then, he said he also had it [the lead in lights], and the runway.  I also saw part of the runway.  It then was blurry with the rain getting worse it seemed.  I asked the pilot if he still had the runway.  He said he did, so we proceeded.  We then struck the approach lights, or some other lights.  It seemed to be choppy before the incident."  At the time of the accident there was light rain from a thunderstorm that was located northeast of the airport.  The visibility was reported as 3 statute miles with mist and the ceiling was variable between 400-1,100 feet above ground level.  Winds were reported to be 190 degrees magnetic at 13 knots with no gusts.

## Factual narrative

On September 19, 2001, at 0654 eastern standard time, a Beech 200, N711MZ, piloted by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage during an on-ground collision with the instrument approach light system for runway 23L (10,000 feet by 150 feet, grooved concrete) while landing at the Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis, Indiana.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan.  The pilot and eight passengers reported no injuries.  The flight departed the Statesville Municipal Airport, Statesville, North Carolina, at 0605 eastern daylight time.

According to the pilot's written statement, the weather was IFR with heavy rain and a reported visibility of 1 1/2 statute miles.  The pilot reported that he had the approach light system in sight at the outer marker.  The pilot stated, "Heavy rain and struck approach lights.  Landed ok (moderate chop) about 300 yards from end of runway."

According to a written statement provided by a pilot-rated passenger, "I am going on a few trips in the King Air [Beech 200] to gain experience.  I was working the radios on this trip.  We were shooting the ILS [Instrument Landing System] 32 Left approach at Indianapolis.  We broke out of clouds, but with heavy rain.  I saw the lead in lights to the runway and told the pilot.  Then, he said he also had it [the lead in lights], and the runway.  I also saw part of the runway.  It then was blurry with the rain getting worse it seemed.  I asked the pilot if he still had the runway.  He said he did, so we proceeded.  We then struck the approach lights, or some other lights.  It seemed to be choppy before the incident."

The airplane landed 621 feet short of the runway threshold.

A weather observation station, located on the airport, reported the weather at 0655 as:

Observation Time:		0655

Wind: 			190 degrees magnetic at 13 knots

Visibility: 			3 statute miles

Present Weather:		Light rain from a thunderstorm

Mist

Sky Condition:		   700 feet above ground level (agl) broken

1,200 feet agl overcast

Temperature: 		20 degrees Celsius

Dew Point:		20 degrees Celsius

Pressure:			29.72 inches-of-mercury

Remarks:			Thunderstorm began at 0630

Ceiling variable between 400-1,100 feet agl

Occasional in-cloud lighting northeast of the airport

Thunderstorm northeast of the airport moving northeast

Precipitation 1.8 inches since last hourly observation

## Aircraft

- Registration: N711MZ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Beech 200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BB-849
- Airframe hours: 7534
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42 850 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Champion Air LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 31, 2001, 120 hours before
- Departed: SVH, Statesville, NC
- Destination: IND, Indianapolis, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IND, Indianapolis International, runway 23L, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 15, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 13,557 total, 4,200 in this make and model, 9,497 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observed at: IND

## 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 20010919026509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010919026509A), Sep 19, 2001: Indianapolis, IN, No damage. (-23) Aircraft N711MZ was on approach at ind airport on runway 23L at approximately. After flying out of the clouds, the pilot had a visual on the runway. The…

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.

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