# NTSB DEN90LA165: Beech B-24-R, N2537W, Cheyenne Wells, CO, July 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1990, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Cheyenne Wells, CO
- Coordinates: 38.809188, -102.349433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8092&lon=-102.3494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA165

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING CROSS WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - door - not secured
  - door - open
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER THE PILOT'S DOOR OPENED AT 9,500 FEET, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECUATIONARY LANDING IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE DOOR. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCH DOWN, THE PILOT BECAME AWARE OF THE CROSSWIND; THE AIRPLANE THEN LANDED HARD AND 'BOUNCED HIGH.' FULL POWER WAS APPLIED AND THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED RIGHT, BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB. THE PILOT THEN RETRACTED THE FLAPS AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2537W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2537W-2012-10-18), registration cancelled 2012-10-18, S/N MC-216, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B-24-R
- Registry model: [Beech B24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b24r) (registry code 1151253) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17C-216
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aerotech Flight Services, Inc.
- Departed: COS, COLORADO SPRGS, CO
- Destination: 45V, CHEYENNE WELLS, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 45V, Cheyenne Wells Municipal, runway 22, 2,875 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 167 total, 38 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900718027629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900718027629A), Jul 18, 1990: Beech B24R, Cheyenne, CO, Substantial damage. Door opened in flight. Diverted. Bounced and drifted on crosswind landing. Stalled impacted collapsing all 3 gears.

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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