# NTSB CHI94LA228: Beech 58, N6404Z, Oelwein, IA, July 9, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1994, 10:57 local (15:57 UTC)
- Place: Oelwein, IA
- Coordinates: 42.669528, -91.910911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6695&lon=-91.9109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA228

## Probable cause

the pilot's decision to land on a runway with a tailwind.  Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind and the wet runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he flew in instrument meteorological conditions en route to the destination airport.  He had planned an instrument approach to runway 13.  Descending through 3,000 feet he encountered visual conditions, cancelled IFR, and flew a visual arrival to runway 13.  He requested an airport advisory on the unicom frequency with no response. The pilot said he landed with a tailwind on the wet runway.  Winds were from 290 degrees at 11 knots.  A witness saw the airplane land long and porpoise during the landing.  The airplane sustained substantial damage when it departed the runway.

## Factual narrative

On July 9, 1994, at 1057 central daylight time, a Beech BE-58 airplane, N6404Z, sustained substantial damage when it departed the end of runway 13 while landing at the Oelwein Municipal Airport in Oelwein, Iowa.  The private pilot and three passengers aboard sustained no injuries.  The personal flight departed the Jeffco Airport in Denver, Colorado about 0700 mountain daylight time and was conducted under CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions were reported at the accident airport and an IFR flight plan was filed.

The pilot conducted the en route portion of the flight in instrument meteorological conditions.  Descending through 3,000 feet he acquired visual meteorological conditions, cancelled IFR with Waterloo Approach Control, and proceeded to the Oelwein Municipal Airport under VFR.

The pilot reported he had planned an instrument approach to runway 13.  He attempted to obtain an airport advisory on the unicom frequency with no response.  He said he used full flaps and landed on the wet runway with a tailwind.

The automated weather observation system on the airport reported the winds were 290 degrees at 11 knots about the time of the accident.  A standard wind sock and wind tee were located on the north side of the field.

During a telephone interview, an employee of Connel Aviation, a local fixed-base operator (FBO), stated they were monitoring the unicom frequency and did not hear the request for an airport advisory.  He said the aircraft landed long and it porpoised during the landing.

An Officer from the Oelwein Police Department reported two skid marks on the runway, "from the airplanes landing gear", and estimated the length of the marks to be several hundred feet.  He administered a preliminary breath test (PBT) to the pilot which yielded a result of .000.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6404Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TJ-404
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy J. Durbin
- Registered owner: Accent Air Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BJC, DENVER, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OLZ, Oelwein Municipal, runway 13, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 961 total, 62 in this make and model, 869 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OLZ

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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