# NTSB CHI94LA266: Beech B33, N786AA, Imperial, NE, August 4, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1994, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Imperial, NE
- Coordinates: 40.510955, -101.629699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5110&lon=-101.6297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA266

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional of the airplane during takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP.  RUNWAY HEADING WAS 170.  THE PILOT REPORTED THE WIND WAS FROM THE EAST AT 3-5 KNOTS.  HE SAID HE ROTATED AT 60 MPH AND THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 10 FEET AND THE STALL WARNING SOUNDED.  THE AIRPLANE SETTLED TO THE GROUND BUT BECAME AIRBORNE A SECOND TIME, AND CROSSED A FENCE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE LEFT WING OF THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED.  IT WAS DESTROYED BY A POSTCRASH FIRE.

## Factual narrative

On August 4, 1994, about 1500 mountain daylight time, a Beech B33, N786AA, was destroyed when it struck a tree and crashed on takeoff from a private airstrip near Imperial, Nebraska.  The private pilot received minor injuries, and the single passenger aboard the airplane received serious injuries in the postcrash fire.  There was no flight plan for the business flight, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot stated he was attempting to make a soft field takeoff to the south.  The runway was a 30 x 2600 grass strip.  He reported the wind was from the east at 3-5 knots, and a small thunderstorm was to the north of the airstrip.  He stated the airplane became airborne at approximately 60 mph, and attained an altitude of about 5-10 feet.  At this altitude the stall warning sounded and the airplane settled to the ground.

The pilot stated the airplane became airborne a second time, and crossed the fence on the left side of the runway.  The airplane struck a tree located on the left side of the runway and crashed.  The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N786AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N786AA-1997-02-05), registration cancelled 1997-02-05, S/N CD462 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B33
- Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD-462
- Airframe hours: 2091
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Louis Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1993, 70 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: KS01, HOXIE, KS
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 17, 2,600 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 135 total, 77 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBF, 35 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 19940804024379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940804024379A), Aug 4, 1994: Beech 35B33, Imperial, NE, Destroyed. Premature rotation on soft field takeoff. Settled became airborene again. Crossed a fence. Struck a tree and burned

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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