# NTSB CHI90LA206: Beech D17S, N480, Oelwein, IA, July 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1990, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Oelwein, IA
- Coordinates: 42.670253, -91.909416 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6703&lon=-91.9094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA206

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ON A VFR CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE COMMERCIAL PILOT SAID THAT HE ENCOUNTERED UNFAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN TO RETURN TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT AND LAND. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, IN A TAIL WHEEL CONFIGURED ACFT, HE NOTICED ANOTHER ACFT ON THE RUNWAY, ABOUT 1000 FEET AHEAD. HE SAID THAT HE FELT HE COULD STOP, BUT VEERED TO THE LEFT FOR ADDITIONAL CLEARANCE, IF HE WERE UNABLE TO STOP ON THE WET RUNWAY. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE HARD SURFACED RUNAWAY, INTO SOFT, MUDDY TERRAIN, AND OVERTURNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N480](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N480), registered now, S/N 4810, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D17S
- Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4810
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: 480 Stag Club. Inc.
- Departed: FOD, FORT DODGE, IA
- Airport: OLZ, Oelwein, runway 13, 4,000 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,006 total, 760 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ALO, 25 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 19900727029389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900727029389A), Jul 27, 1990: Beech D17S, Oelinein, IA, Substantial damage. Landed due to weather. Saw aircraft on runway. Veered to edge runway to clear ran wheel off in mud and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N480 (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 LAX66F0073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66F0073), Jun 27, 1965: Beechcraft D17S (N480), Mojave, CA, 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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