# NTSB ERA12CA558: Beech 35-C33, N331DP, Burlington, NC, August 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2012, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Burlington, NC - Coordinates: 36.04861, -79.474723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0486&lon=-79.4747&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 March 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84999 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA558 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84999/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84999 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA558 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151408), [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 35-C33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151408), [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 35-C33, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to demonstrate to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who was on the ground witnessing the flight, his ability to land an airplane. On the first landing, the airplane landed hard, and the right main landing gear tire deflated. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and came to rest, damaging the right wing spar and fuselage. The pilot reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction that caused the hard landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to demonstrate his ability to land an airplane to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who was on the ground witnessing the flight. On the first landing, the airplane was landed hard causing the right main landing gear tire to deflate. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and came to rest near airport facility equipment. The pilot further reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction that caused the hard landing. Damage to the airplane was the right wing spar, left wing skin, and wrinkle in the fuselage skin above the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N331DP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N331DP), registered now, S/N CD-954, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 35-C33 - Registry model: [Beech 35-C33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-c33) (registry code 1151408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD-954 - Airframe hours: 6250 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mac Air Inc - Registered owner: Mac Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 2011 - Departed: BUY, Burlington, NC - Destination: BUY, Burlington, NC - Airport: BUY, Burlington-Alamance Regional, runway 06, 4,999 × 99 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 726 total, 221 in this make and model, 726 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: BUY ## 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 20120822021969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120822021969A), Aug 22, 2012: Beech 35-C33, Burlington, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot made a hard landing and the right tire burst on touchdown. The aircraft then exited the runway on the right side and continued into the grass… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84999. 933 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 655 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379099&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378129&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Damage Above the Right Wing. (item 3, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379103&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Damage%20Above%20the%20Right%20Wing.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Right Main Landing Gear Wheel Assembly. Note the Deflated Tire. (item 4, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Right%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Wheel%20Assembly.%20Note%20the%20Deflated%20Tire.-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.