# NTSB ERA14CA463: Beech D55, N222JJ, Hazleton, PA, September 27, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 27, 2014, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Hazleton, PA
- Coordinates: 40.986667, -75.995002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9867&lon=-75.9950&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA463
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90183/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90183
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA463

## Probable cause

The brake application for unknown reasons resulting in rupture of the left main landing gear tire and tube, and subsequent loss of directional control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=1152730), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: tire casing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Beech D55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md?model=1152730), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: tube](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023245): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Beech D55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023245/cases.md?model=1152730), [All aircraft, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023245/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech D55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1152730), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Beech D55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=1152730), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech D55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1152730), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Beech D55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1152730), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After an uneventful 30 minute flight the pilot returned to the airport and entered the traffic pattern for a full stop landing on runway 28; the wind at the time was variable at 3 knots. He reported the touchdown was normal, but about 5 to 10 seconds after touchdown, "the plane started rumbling and pulling hard to the left"; he confirmed he was not on the airplane's brakes at that time. He reported the nose steering was not effective, and when the left main landing gear wheel was in the grass, he advanced the left throttle in an attempt to overcome the left turning tendency. The airplane then contacted a temporary rock road and both main landing gears collapsed. All occupants exited the airplane uninjured, and when he deemed it safe, he reentered the airplane and secured the fuel selectors. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by several FAA inspectors revealed the left tire was deflated and a hole was completely worn through the casing on an area of the tread, and also through the tube. Postaccident operational testing of the airplane's brake system revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The brakes released with release of pressure on the brake pedals; no sticking was noted. Damage to a portion of the left wing at the leading edge and main spar was noted. Damage was also noted the main spar of the left aileron, and to structure on the lower fuselage aft of the wing trailing edge.

## Factual narrative

After an uneventful 30 minute flight the pilot returned to the airport and entered the traffic pattern for a full stop landing on runway 28; the wind at the time was variable at 3 knots. He reported the touchdown was normal, but about 5 to 10 seconds after touchdown, "the plane started rumbling and pulling hard to the left"; he confirmed he was not on the airplane's brakes at that time. He reported the nose steering was not effective, and when the left main landing gear wheel was in the grass, he advanced the left throttle in an attempt to overcome the left turning tendency. The airplane then contacted a temporary rock road and both main landing gears collapsed. All occupants exited the airplane uninjured, and when he deemed it safe, he reentered the airplane and secured the fuel selectors. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by several FAA inspectors revealed the left tire was deflated and a hole was completely worn through the casing on an area of the tread, and also through the tube. Postaccident operational testing of the airplane's brake system revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The brakes released with release of pressure on the brake pedals; no sticking was noted. Damage to a portion of the left wing at the leading edge and main spar was noted. Damage was also noted the main spar of the left aileron, and to structure on the lower fuselage aft of the wing trailing edge.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222JJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222JJ-2018-09-05), registration cancelled 2018-09-05, S/N TE-639, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D55
- Registry model: [Beech D55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d55) (registry code 1152730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-639
- Year built: 1968
- Airframe hours: 3463
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-520-CB 250 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jld Conyngham Ltd
- Registered owner: Jld Conyngham Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2014, 11 hours before
- Departed: HZL, Hazelton, PA
- Destination: HZL, Hazelton, PA
- Airport: HZL, Hazelton Municipal Airport, runway 28, 4,898 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 612 total, 203 in this make and model, 435 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: AVP, 24 nm away

## 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 20140927019669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140927019669A), Sep 27, 2014: Beech D55, Hazleton, PA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed rwy 28 at hzl, departed left edge and came to rest approximately 2000 feet from approach end, 50 feet from runway edge, on a heading of 230;…

## Docket (11 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 23, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90183. 15.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420300&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot's Initial Statement (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Initial%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Report and Record (item 3, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20and%20Record-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversations (item 4, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420303&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Front of Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 511 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420304&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Front%20of%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Rear of Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 553 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Rear%20of%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420306&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Left Aileron (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Left%20Aileron%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 5 - Lower Empennage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420308&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Lower%20Empennage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 6 - Lower Empennage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20-%20Lower%20Empennage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 7 - Left Main Landing Gear Tire (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) (item 11, .PDF, 996 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%20-%20Left%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Tire%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.