- Date
- October 28, 1999, 15:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place
- Angel Fire, NM
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N243RCBeech B-60
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 30, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19991028029679A
- Case key
- 47668
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the pilot's inadequate decision to attempt the takeoff. Factors were the strong left rear cross wind, and the dirt embankment.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
A pilot/witness said that the airplane had been in for maintenance in Albuquerque, and he flew N243RC to Angel Fire for the accident pilot. The pilot/witness said that at approximately 1400 he landed the airplane on runway 17 with the wind from 230 degrees for 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. The pilot taxied to runway 35, and started his takeoff roll with winds 230 to 270 degrees for 22 knots with gusts to 30 knots according to the FBO manager. Approximately 2 minutes later the pilot transmitted a distress call. Another witness observed the airplane 90 degrees to the runway approximately 1,000 feet from the threshold. He said that the airplane departed the left side of the runway at a 30 degree angle approximately 400 feet from the threshold. He said that there was no indication of nose wheel ground contact for the first 150 feet of runway departure. He further observed that airplane encountered wet earth while simultaneously encountering a dirt embankment with the left wing.
Factual narrative
On October 28, 1999, approximately 1505 mountain daylight time, a Beech B-60 Duke, N243RC, was substantially damaged following departure from the runway during takeoff roll at Angel Fire Airport, Angel Fire, New Mexico. The instrument rated private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight which was originating at the time of the accident. An IFR flight plan had been filed.
A pilot/witness said that the airplane had been in for maintenance in Albuquerque, and he flew N243RC to Angel Fire for the accident pilot. The pilot/witness said that at approximately 1400 he landed on runway 17 with the wind from 230 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. He further stated that he assisted the pilot from his car to the airplane. The accident pilot said that he had "bad knees" and walked with the assistance of two canes. The pilot's wife then loaded five dogs into the airplane.
The pilot taxied to runway 35, and started his takeoff roll with variable winds between 230 and 270 degrees at 22 knots, with gusts to 30 knots according to the FBO manager. Approximately 2 minutes later, the pilot transmitted a distress call. Another witness observed the airplane 90 degrees to the runway approximately 1,000 feet from the threshold. He said that the airplane departed the left side of the runway at a 30 degree angle approximately 400 feet from the threshold. He said that there was no indication of nose wheel ground contact for the first 150 feet of runway departure. He further observed that airplane encountered wet earth while simultaneously encountering a dirt embankment with the left wing.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N243RC
- Reported as
- Beech B-60
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- P-273
- Airframe hours
- 2,990
- Engine
- Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4, 280 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Philip C. Kidd, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 12, 1998
- Departed
- AXX
- Destination
- PWA · Noble, OK
- Airport
- AXX · Angel Fire Airport, runway 35, 8,900 × 100 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 69
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 4,700 total · 1,000 in this make and model · 4,650 as pilot in command · 16 in the last 90 days · 7 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 220° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- SKX, 18 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.