# NTSB CHI96LA243: Beech C-45H, N9772Z, Marshall, MI, July 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 1996, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Marshall, MI - Coordinates: 42.260074, -84.9505 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2601&lon=-84.9505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 11 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10313 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10313/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA243 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. The crosswind (quartering headwind) was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot reported that the winds were from 260 degrees at 10 knots. During the takeoff roll on runway 28, at about 60 miles per hour, he 'began to bring the tail up for a wheel takeoff.... The airplane began to veer to the left.' He 'attempted to get the airplane straight with right rudder and right brake. The airplane ran off of the runway and ground looped on top of a hill.' The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and empennage. Examination of skid marks on the runway revealed that the right side skid mark was 'more pronounced' than the left side skid mark. No evidence of flight control or brake malfunction was discovered. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 1996, at 1250 eastern daylight time, a Beech C-45H, N9772Z, operated by Skydive Michigan, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped during the takeoff roll in Marshall, Michigan. The pilot and ten passengers reported no injury. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 parachute flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported that he checked the weather via DUATS and a personal observation. He reported that the winds were from 260 degrees at 10 knots. During the takeoff roll on runway 28, at about 60 miles per hour, he "began to bring the tail up for a wheel takeoff.... The airplane began to veer to the left." He "attempted to get the airplane straight with right rudder and right brake. The airplane ran off of the runway and ground looped on top of a hill." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and empennage. He shut down the engines and "everyone" egressed the airplane uneventfully. The pilot reported no evidence of engine or propeller malfunction. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who examined the accident site and the airplane, reported that the airplane departed the left side of the runway. His examination of skid marks on the runway revealed that the right side skid mark was "more pronounced" than the left side skid mark. He reported no evidence of flight control or brake malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9772Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9772Z), registered now, S/N AF-575 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech C-45H - Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (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: AF-575 - Airframe hours: 9295 - Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Linda M. Humphreys - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1996, 25 hours before - Departed: 5D8 - Airport: 5D8, Brooks Field, runway 28, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,249 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,075 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19960714026069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960714026069A), Jul 14, 1996: Beech C45H, Marshall, MI, Substantial damage. Narrative: on take off aircraft went off left side of runway. Ground looped. 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.