# NTSB CHI79FET06: Beechcraft E-55, N171D, Elkhart, IN, November 26, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 26, 1978
- Place: Elkhart, IN · ELKHART, IN
- Location: 41.6952° N, 85.9554° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elkhart, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6952&lon=-85.9554&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FET06
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FET06

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4024  78/11/26 NR.ELKHART,IN         BEECHCRAFT E-55     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 43, 2424
        TIME - 1300                    N171D               PX-  0  0  5  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 323 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WILLIES FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NASHVILLE,TN                ELKHART,IN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF BRAKES AND/OR FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRFRAME ICE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N171D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N171D-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N TE-1000, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECHCRAFT E-55
- Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Willies Field

## 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 19781126038299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781126038299A), Nov 26, 1978: Beech A56TC, Elkhart, IN, 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.

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