# NTSB CHI94LA044: Beech 23, N6959Q, Denison, IA, December 6, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 6, 1993, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Denison, IA - Coordinates: 42.010135, -95.340202 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0101&lon=-95.3402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9435/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA044 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT IS THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT HANDLING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft handling - inadequate, dual student (contributing factor) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE STUDENT PILOT PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, AND HAD PREARRANGED WITH THE PRIVATE PILOT TO FLY THE AIRPLANE BACK TO THEIR HOME BASE. SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, AND CONTINUED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT BEFORE IT CAME TO REST. THE PRIVATE PILOT OCCUPIED THE RIGHT SEAT, THE STUDENT PILOT WAS IN THE LEFT SEAT DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED HE BEGAN THE TAKEOFF ROLL WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS ON THE CONTROLS WITH HIM. THE STUDENT PILOT INDICATED WHEN HE REACHED DOWN TO RETRACT FLAPS, THE PRIVATE PILOT TOOK THE CONTROLS, BANKED LEFT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED HE WAS NOT ON THE CONTROLS. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED 19.2 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, WITH NO EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OR CLAIM OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL ANOMALY. ## Factual narrative On December 6, 1993, at 1600 central standard time, a Beech A23- A, N6959Q, operated on a postpurchase positioning flight, impacted the ground on the left side of the runway and ran down an embankment during an attempted takeoff on Runway 30 at the Denison, Iowa airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot (right seat) reported minor injuries. The student pilot/airplane owner (left seat) received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Denison, Iowa approximately 1559, with an intended destination of Shenandoah, Iowa. The student pilot purchased the airplane the day of the accident. He had arranged with the private pilot to accompany him to Denison to fly the airplane back to Shenandoah after the purchase was finalized. He reported the private pilot stated he was experienced in the accident make and model airplane, and was prepared to fly the airplane to Shenandoah. The student pilot stated the private pilot performed the preflight inspection, then sat in the right seat. The student pilot reported "When I asked him about it, he stated that I had purchased the plane, so (the left seat) was my seat....I...asked...who was going to fly the plane, to which he answered 'I will.'....I began the takeoff with the understanding that he was on the controls with me." The student pilot reported he had difficulty during the takeoff roll and requested help from the private pilot. The student pilot indicated the airplane lifted off about 2/3 down the 5,000 foot long runway, and they began to climb out. He reported when he reached down to retract the flaps, the private pilot pulled back on the controls, stated "watch out for the trees" and banked the airplane to the left. The airplane impacted the ground on the left side of the runway and continued down an embankment. The private pilot reported the student pilot was handling the controls for the attempted takeoff. The private pilot stated about "...1,500 feet down the (runway) he turned to the left, then hard right off (the runway) and rotated at about the same time. Then the plane crashed." The student pilot reported 19.2 hours total flight time, with no experience in the accident make and model airplane. The private pilot reported 602.5 hours total flight time, with no indication of total flight time in the accident make and model airplane. Both pilots reported the weather was clear, visibility good, and calm winds. There was no evidence or claim of preimpact mechanical anomaly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6959Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6959Q-2012-10-15), registration cancelled 2012-10-15, S/N M-1090, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 23 - Registry model: [Beech A23A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23a) (registry code 1151208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M1090 - Airframe hours: 2169 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-360-A2G 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rake, Robert J. - Registered owner: Rake, Robert J. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1993, 8 hours before - Destination: SDA, SHENANDOAH, IA - Airport: DNS, Denison Municipal Airport, runway 30, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 603 total, 567 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F ## 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 19931206046089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931206046089A), Dec 6, 1993: Beech 23BEECH, Dennison, IA, Substantial damage. Lost control during takeoff, ended up about 1000 feet off end of runway. (-4)the student pilot purchased the airplane the day of the accident, and had… 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.