# NTSB CHI94LA213: Beech 19, N6966Q, Ionia, MI, June 30, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1994, 13:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place: Ionia, MI
- Coordinates: 42.9794, -85.049736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9794&lon=-85.0497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA213

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper use of the throttle control.  A factor related to the accident was the improper flare.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED DURING TOUCHDOWN.  HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO GO-AROUND; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE RUNWAY AND BOUNCED AGAIN.  THE LEFT MAIN GEAR AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE ENGINE DURING A TEST RUN.

## Factual narrative

On June 30, 1994, at 1358 eastern daylight time (edt), a Beech BE-19, N6966Q, registered to Lowell E. Swift, collided with runway 27 (3,700 x 75') while landing at the Ionia County Airport, Ionia, Michigan, during on a solo instructional flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured.  The flight originated from Grand Rapids, Michigan, on June 30, 1994, at 1330 edt.

The pilot reported that during the landing flare, the airplane ballooned so he decided to initiate a go-around.  He reported that the engine did not respond when he pushed the throttle in.  He stated he closed the throttle, removed the carburetor heat, and slowly advanced power twice still without any response from the engine.  The airplane contacted the runway and bounced.  On the second impact, the left main gear and nose gear collapsed.

The airplane was inspected by a Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) from the Grand Rapids Flight Standards District Office.  The PMI was able to perform a test run of the engine.  He stated the engine "ran and accelerated normally" during the test and no other failures/malfunctions were found which would have resulted in the lack of engine response.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6966Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6966Q-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N MB-313, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 19
- Registry model: [Beech 19A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-19a) (registry code 1151214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB313
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lowell E. Swift
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Departed: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Airport: Y70, Ionia County, runway 27, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 59 total, 59 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 24 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 19940630018779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940630018779A), Jun 30, 1994: Beech 19A, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised landing.

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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