# NTSB CHI99LA086: Beech 58, N58AK, Gaylord, MI, February 6, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 5, 1999, 22:15 local (Feb 6, 1999, 03:15 UTC) - Place: Gaylord, MI - Coordinates: 45.020149, -84.670669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0201&lon=-84.6707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45730/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA086 ## Probable cause the pilot not obtaining proper runway centerline alignment during landing. Associated factors were the pilot's obscured view through the iced windshield, the runway lights not activating simultaneously with the approach lights, incomplete visual detection of the runway environment and no notice to airmen of the reduced reception of the runway light receiver. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - weather condition - freezing rain - window,flight compartment window/windshield - obstructed (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway edge lights - other (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snowbank - notams - not issued, airport personnel (contributing factor) - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot said that the icing conditions obscured the view through the windshield even with the application of anti-icing fluid. In his written report, he said that the approach lights came on and that the runway lights did not. He said that he had no visual reference to the runway during the landing flare. He reported that the airplane landed on the runway, but struck a snowbank on the north side of the runway. The airport lighting system has two receivers on the pilot controlled frequency 118.9. One receiver controls the approach lights and the other controls the runway and taxiway lights. Because the approach lights receiver is located close to the approach, it has better reception than the runway lights receiver does. ## Factual narrative On February 5, 1999, at 2215 eastern standard time, a Beech 58, N58AK, piloted by an instrument rated commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during a landing on Runway 9 (6,500' X 100' asphalt with a poor braking advisory) at Otsego County Airport near Gaylord, Michigan. The airplane landed 15 feet left of Runway 9's centerline and exited the runway's left edge into a snowbank. The left main and nose gear collapsed. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR 91 positioning flight was operating on an instrument flight plan. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that the flight departed from Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 2100. In his written statement, the pilot said that there was no significant weather during his six preceding flights on the accident date. On the last positioning leg, he stated that at 10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) he encountered icing north of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, en route to Gaylord, Michigan. He requested a discretionary decent to 4,000 feet MSL and was given that decent clearance. He said he activated the alcohol anti-ice system during the decent. The windshield did not clear. He stated that weather at Gaylord, Michigan, was 800 overcast, 4 miles visibility, light freezing drizzle, and wind 200 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 17 knots. The instrument landing system approach to Runway 9 was used. The pilot stated that the approach was normal and the airport was insight during the approach. While in the landing flare, he stated, he realized only the approach lights were on and that the runway lights did not activate. He said he had no visual reference to the runway. He stated that the aircraft landed on the runway, but struck a snowbank on the north side of the runway. During a conversation with the pilot, he stated that the airplane was not certified for flight into known icing conditions. While interviewing the airport manager, he explained the airport lighting operation at the Ostego County Airport. He stated that there were two receivers that work on the frequency 118.9 to activate airport lighting. One receiver the Federal Aviation Administration maintains for the approach lights. The other receiver is for runway and taxiway lights and is maintained by the airport. The receivers are not interconnected, so when the pilot tries to activate the entire lighting system by radio, one portion will come on and the other portion may not. The approach light's receiver is located close to the approach end of the Runway 9 and receives a stronger signal than the other receiver while aircraft are on the approach. Since the accident, the airport manager has issued a local notice to airman to indicate that runway lights are not available when activated beyond 4 miles from the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: N58AK (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech 58 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH224 - Airframe hours: 7822 - Engines: Continental IO-520CB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: North Country Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: AAIP, January 29, 1999, 20 hours before - Departed: YIP, YPSILANTI, MI - Destination: GLR, MI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: GLR, Ostego County Airport, runway 9, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,260 total, 342 in this make and model, 8,018 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GLR ## 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 19990205001109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990205001109A), Feb 5, 1999: Beech 58, Gaylord, MI, Substantial damage. (.19) On February 5, 1999, at 2115 central standard time, a Beech 58, N58AK, operated by an instrument rated commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage… 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.