# NTSB DEN91LA109: Beech V35, N2751T, Byers, CO, August 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1991, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Byers, CO
- Coordinates: 39.710956, -104.220054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7110&lon=-104.2201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING SITE.  FACTORS WERE: WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DITCH.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP DUE TO THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IN THE DENVER AREA.  THE 2500 FOOT DIRT AND SAND RUNWAY HAD RECENTLY BEEN COATED WITH OIL.  RAIN MADE THE SURFACE SLICK. THE PILOT SAID HE TOUCHED DOWN AND 'HAD TROUBLE WITH BRAKING BECAUSE OF WATER ON RUNWAY.' NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH AND COLLAPSED. THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED 100 FEET AND CAME TO REST ON THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT RECEIVED TWO INFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFS INDICATING THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY AT THE INTENDED DESTINATION UNTIL MID AFTERNOON. DENVER WEATHER WAS 600 OVERCAST WITH 6 MILES VISIBILITY IN LIGHT RAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2751T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-8467
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lonnie D. Ayers
- Registered owner: Lonnie D. Ayers
- Departed: PEZ, PLEASANTON, TX
- Destination: FTG, WATKINS, CO
- Airport: C017, Sky Haven, runway 36, 2,500 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 307 total, 80 in this make and model, 216 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- 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 19910803034479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910803034479A), Aug 3, 1991: Beech V35, Byers, CO, Substantial damage. Thunderstorms in area,elected to land on oiled strip. Unable to stop due water on oil. Slid off into a ditch.

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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