# NTSB ERA11LA099: Beech F35, N3448B, Syracuse, NY, December 24, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 24, 2010, 15:58 local (20:58 UTC) - Place: Syracuse, NY - Coordinates: 43.106666, -76.103614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1067&lon=-76.1036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 17, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78070 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78070/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78070 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA099 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing with airframe structural icing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s continued flight into known icing conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: snow](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F35, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-IFR initial approach: Structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210); cases with it: [Beech F35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210/sequence.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech F35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was receiving vectors for an instrument approach when the controller advised of reported icing conditions and assigned the pilot an altitude that would keep the flight out of the icing levels; however, the pilot requested and received clearance for an altitude within those reported icing levels. During the approach, the pilot saw a trace of ice accumulating on the windshield and continued the approach to the runway. The pilot stated that, during the landing roll, the airplane’s nose landing gear broke off, and the airplane to skidded off the runway into the snow. Examination of the runway revealed that the skid marks started about 300 feet from the beginning of the runway and led off the runway. The pilot initially stated that the nose landing gear malfunctioned but later stated that the icing possibly caused the airplane to stall. An examination of the airplane wreckage immediately after the accident confirmed that ice had built up on the leading edge of the airplane’s wings. Examination of the nose landing gear revealed that the chrome piston strut section had separated in an aft direction in overload, just below the piston strut housing. There was no evidence of a mechanical malfunction of the nose landing gear. The airplane was not certified for flight in known icing conditions. ## Factual narrative On December 24, 2010, at 1558 eastern standard time, a Beech, F35, N3448B, experienced a hard landing at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), New York. The pilot was not injured and the airplane incurred substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was owned and operated by an individual, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. The pilot stated that he arrived initially at the airport about 2 hours prior to the accident. When the fix base operator’s (FBO) attendant went to pull the airplane from the hangar, the nose wheel strut had collapsed. The pilot attributed this to the cold weather and also to the fact that he had not flown in 5 weeks due to the weather. He recalls that the strut was rebuilt about 8 years ago and had not collapsed before and only had the occasional nitrogen servicing to maintain proper height, which was not a frequent event. He left the FBO to conduct a few errands and returned, to which the mechanic had serviced the strut. The airplane was topped off with fuel. The pilot planned to perform instrument work. His first landing was a touch and go during the instrument landing system (ILS) to runway 28, which the approach was in a configuration of gear down, partial flaps, 14 manifold pressure arriving over the field about 65 mph. He then executed the published missed approach, retracting the gear and flaps, and after 1 revolution in the hold pattern, he saw that the windshield was picking up a trace of ice. He requested and received the area navigation (RNAV) ILS to runway 28 which went uneventful. He centered the airplane over the runway, in the same configuration as the previous landing. He landed with main landing gear first, immediately after, the nose gear went down and the plane veered off to the left at a 45 degree angle into the snow, stopping just prior to a directional sign. The right and left wings incurred substantial damage, the nose gear separated, and one of the two blades separated from the propeller hub. The pilot initially stated that the nose gear malfunctioned; later that the icing possibly caused the airplane to stall. A Syracuse Police Department representative stated that upon responding to the accident site on the eastern end runway 10-28, he observed a small single engine aircraft nose down in the snow off to the southern side of the runway. A section of the propeller was making contact with the runway, and a section of the airplane's nose landing gear was approximately 50 feet from the damaged plane. It was determined later that the pilot removed the gear section from the runway and relocated it to the snow area. The pilot stated to the police representative that the accident occurred when he landed from the eastern end of runway 10-28, about 60 mph, and just after he was on the landing roll; the front landing gear broke off theplane, which caused the plane to skid off the runway into the snow. The skid marks started about 300 feet from the beginning of the runway (28) and led off the runway. The pilot, seated in the left seat, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. He was issued a FAA third-class medical certificate on November 22, 2010, with limitations of must wear corrective lenses. A review of the pilot’s flight logbook showed his last flight was 48 days prior the accident; with a total time of 1,059 hours. The Beech F35, a four place, all metal, low wing, V tail, single-engine airplane, with retractable landing gear, serial number D-4232, was manufactured in 1956, and issued a standard airworthiness certificate, in the utility category. The airplane was powered by a Continental E-225, 225-horsepower engine, equipped with a two bladed variable-pitch propeller. The airplane was not certified for flight in known icing conditions. The METAR report for SYR at 1554, was winds 320 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; overcast at 1,900 msl; temperature minus 3 degrees Celsius (C); dew point minus 7 degrees C; altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury. Runway 10-28 at SYR is asphalt and grooved, 9,003 foot long by 150 foot wide. During vectors to the RNAV approach for runway 28, the SYR controller attempted to deviate the pilot flight levels and advised of reported icing conditions. The pilot requested to stay at those reported icing levels. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector confirmed ice built up on the leading edge of the airplane’s wings. The nose landing gear chrome piston strut section separated in an aft direction, in overload, just below the piston strut housing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3448B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3448B-2017-04-07), registration cancelled 2017-04-07, S/N D-4232, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH F35 - Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-4232 - Airframe hours: 5686 - Engines: CONT MOTOR E225 SERIES 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2010, 30 hours before - Departed: SYR, Syracuse, NY - Destination: SYR, Syracuse, NY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SYR, Syracuse Hancock International, runway 28, 9,003 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 3, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,057 total, 852 in this make and model, 938 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: SYR ## 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 20101224055979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101224055979A), Dec 24, 2010: Beech F35, Syracuse, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot was doing practice instrument approaches at Syracuse new york and asked ATC for clearance to climb into known icing conditions. Aircraft landed hard on… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78070. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358393&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Statement to FAA Inspector. (item 2, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358394&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20to%20FAA%20Inspector.-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: Excerpts from the FAA ATC Transcript. (item 4, .PDF, 478 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20Excerpts%20from%20the%20FAA%20ATC%20Transcript.-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: Excerpt of Pilot's Flight Logbook. (item 5, .PDF, 530 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Excerpt%20of%20Pilot%27s%20Flight%20Logbook.-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1) View of the Airplane's Nacelle and Left wing Section. Note the Ice Build up on the Wing's Leading Edge. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 6, .PDF, 364 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201)%20View%20of%20the%20Airplane%27s%20Nacelle%20and%20Left%20wing%20Section.%20Note%20the%20Ice%20Build%20up%20on%20the%20Wing%27s%20Leading%20Edge.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF - Photo 2) View of the Airplane's Fuselage and Right Wing Section. Note the Ice Build up on the leading Edge of the Wing. Photo Provide by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 7, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202)%20View%20of%20the%20Airplane%27s%20Fuselage%20and%20Right%20Wing%20Section.%20Note%20the%20Ice%20Build%20up%20on%20the%20leading%20Edge%20of%20the%20Wing.%20Photo%20Provide%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF - Photo 3) View of the Separated Nose Wheel Assembly in the Snow. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviaiton Administration. (item 8, .PDF, 558 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203)%20View%20of%20the%20Separated%20Nose%20Wheel%20Assembly%20in%20the%20Snow.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviaiton%20Administration.-Master.PDF - Photo 4) Close up View of the Lower Nose Gear Struct Section. Note the Bend Buckle Just Below the Overload Separation Damage. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 9, .PDF, 937 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204)%20Close%20up%20View%20of%20the%20Lower%20Nose%20Gear%20Struct%20Section.%20Note%20the%20Bend%20Buckle%20Just%20Below%20the%20Overload%20Separation%20Damage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.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.