# NTSB CHI99LA045: Beech 58, N7278R, Ankeny, IA, December 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 3, 1998, 05:00 local (11:00 UTC) - Place: Ankeny, IA - Coordinates: 41.720489, -93.600204 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7205&lon=-93.6002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45410 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45410/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA045 ## Probable cause the elevator control system jammed for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - flt control syst,elevator control - jammed (contributing factor) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis During initial climb the airplane descended into the terrain. The pilot said that when he attempted to rotate the airplane for liftoff, there was resistance on the yoke. He continued to say that as the airplane lifted off the resistance gave way and the airplane 'popped' into the air. He said that the airplane reached an altitude of about 25 to 50 feet above ground level prior to descending into the terrain. A post accident examination of the airplane failed to reveal the nature of the resistance. Control continuity was compromised behind the instrument panel during the impact sequence. ## Factual narrative On December 3, 1998, at 0500 central standard time, a Beech 58, N7278R, sustained substantial damage on impact with the terrain, one-quarter mile south of Todd Field, near Ankeny, Iowa. The commercial rated pilot reported IMC conditions during the takeoff on runway 17. He told Federal Aviation Administration officials that the airplane lifted off near the end of the 2,300 foot runway, but was unable to maintain flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight with the intended destination of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In his original face to face interview with Federal Aviation Administration inspectors the pilot did not mention control "resistance;" however, in his written statement he said that there was a "lot of resistance on the yoke as I pulled back." And went on to say that when the airplane lifted off from the runway, "All of a sudden the resistance gave way and the aircraft popped into the air." He went on to say that the airplane was unable to maintain flight, attaining an altitude of about 25 to 50 feet above ground lever prior to descending and impacting the terrain. The pilot did not report any engine malfunction at the time of the accident. A post accident examination of the airplane and engines failed to reveal any pre-accident anomalies. An examination of the flight control system found no anomalies. Control continuity was compromised behind the instrument panel during the impact sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7278R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7278R-1999-07-27), registration cancelled 1999-07-27, S/N TH-582 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 58 - Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH-582 - Engines: Continental IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Todds Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Y42 - Destination: CID, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,431 total, 133 in this make and model, 1,286 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DSM, 14 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 19981203032879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981203032879A), Dec 3, 1998: Beech 58, Ankeny, IA, Substantial damage. Acft crashed into a corn field under unknown circumstances. (.19) on December 3, 1998, at 0500 central standard time, a Beech 58, N7278R, sustained substantial… ## Other investigations on N7278R (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA91LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA080), Feb 8, 1991: Beech 58 (N7278R), St. Thomas, substantial damage. Probable cause: EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE BY THE PILOT, IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING, AND FAILURE TO RECOVER FROM THE PORPOISE CONDITION. 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.