# NTSB ERA09CA350: Beech C17B, N47024, Stevensville, MD, June 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2009, 13:27 local (17:27 UTC) - Place: Stevensville, MD - Coordinates: 38.976387, -76.329444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9764&lon=-76.3294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA350 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74054/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74054 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA350 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C17B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1150512), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C17B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1150512), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C17B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1150512), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech C17B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1150512), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech C17B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1150512), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after takeoff in the tailwheel-equipped airplane the flight proceeded to the destination airport and the automated weather observing station (AWOS) indicated the wind was favoring runway 29. The flight continued and while on final approach to runway 29, the AWOS indicated the wind was from 360 degrees at 7 knots; no gusts were reported. The airplane landed on the main landing gear, and within seconds of lowering the tailwheel, the airplane suddenly veered to the right. The pilot applied right aileron, left rudder, and left brake to stop the turn but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the runway and collided with a ditch. The spars of the lower left wing were damaged. Inspection of the airplane following recovery by a FAA certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization (A&P/IA) revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the tailwheel assembly. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that after takeoff the flight proceeded to the destination airport and the automated weather observing station (AWOS) indicated the wind was favoring runway 29. The flight continued and while on final approach to runway 29, the AWOS indicated the wind was from 360 degrees at 7 knots; no gusts were reported. The airplane was landed first on the main landing gear, and within seconds of lowering the tailwheel, the airplane suddenly veered to the right. She applied right aileron, left rudder, and left brake to stop the turn but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the runway and collided with a ditch. After coming to rest she and her son exited the airplane. The spars of the lower left wing were damaged. Inspection of the airplane following recovery by a FAA certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization (A&P/IA) revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the tailwheel assembly. The tailwheel pin was not fractured or failed, and he did not detect any excessive play or looseness in the tailwheel assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47024](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47024), registered now, S/N C17B-102, built 1928 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C17B - Registry model: [Beech C17B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c17b) (registry code 1150512) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C17B-102 - Airframe hours: 2437 - Engines: JACOBS L4 /R755-7 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2009 - Departed: PJC, Zelienople, PA - Destination: W29, Stevensville, MD - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: W29, Bay Bridge Airport, runway 29, 2,903 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 28, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 9,171 total, 1,148 in this make and model, 8,921 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: ESN, 16 nm away ## Other investigations on N47024 (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 NYC88LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA134), Apr 27, 1988: Beech C17B (N47024), Butler, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74054. 783 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 707 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF 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.