# NTSB CHI04CA166: Beech 23, N23342, Saginaw, MI, June 26, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 26, 2004, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Saginaw, MI
- Coordinates: 43.433334, -83.862503
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4333&lon=-83.8625&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59645/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA166

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his inadequate recovery from the bounced landing.  The wind gusts and the runway sign were factors.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane was damaged when it struck a runway sign during landing on runway 27.  The pilot reported that while landing, "the plane simply dropped from the sky."  He also reported that the airplane bounced and that a gust of wind "caught [him] under the left wing."  The airplane subsequently impacted a runway sign and came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway.  The recorded wind was from 270 degrees magnetic at 6 knots gusting to 14 knots.

## Factual narrative

On June 26, 2004, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Beech model 23, N23342, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a runway sign during landing on runway 27 (5,000 feet by 100 feet asphalt), at the Saginaw County H. W. Browne Airport, Saginaw, Michigan.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  No injuries were reported.  The flight originated from the Huron County Memorial Airport, Bad Axe, Michigan, about 1145.

The pilot reported that as the airplane approached the runway, he "felt wind push the airplane up. [He] recovered and continued in for landing.  Shortly after the plane simply dropped from the sky and bounced off and up. [He] regained control, leveling wings when a sudden gust of wind caught [him] under [the] left wing."  The airplane subsequently impacted a runway sign and came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway.

The recorded wind at 1235 was from 270 degrees magnetic at 6 knots gusting to 14 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23342 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Beech 23
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M43
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2B reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Muskateer Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KBAX, Bad Axe, MI
- Destination: KHYX, Saginaw, MI
- Airport: KHYX, Saginaw H W Browne, runway 27

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 16, 2003; flight hours: 186 total, 110 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KHYX

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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