# NTSB ERA14LA324: Beech 95 55, N9411Y, Gulf Shores, AL, June 26, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 2014, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Gulf Shores, AL - Coordinates: 30.289722, -87.671669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2897&lon=-87.6717&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89592 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA324 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89592/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89592 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA324 ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1152702), [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 95-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1152702), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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 95-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1152702), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 95-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1152702), [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-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 95-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1152702), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Beech 95-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1152702), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech 95-55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1152702), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane's performance and handling throughout the flight. He further stated that, after the airplane had touched down for the second time (witnesses reported that the airplane bounced after landing) and had slowed to about 30 knots during the landing roll, he felt a "shimmy" coming from the airplane's nose area. The nose landing gear then collapsed, and the airplane slid on its nose until it stopped partially off the side of the runway. The airframe sustained substantial damage. According to one witness, the airplane's approach speed was "excessive," and the airplane landed in a flat attitude and then bounced. Another witness stated that the airplane touched down on all three landing gear, bounced, and then touched down a second time on the nose landing gear. Examination of the wreckage revealed overstress damage consistent with a hard landing. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 2014, about 1645 central daylight time, a Beech BE-95, N9411Y, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Jack Edwards Airport (JKA), Gulf Shores, Alabama. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that there were no problems with the performance and handling of the airplane throughout the flight. He said that after the airplane had touched down for the second time, and had slowed to approximately 30 knots during the landing roll, he observed a "shimmy" coming from the nose area of the airplane. The nose landing gear then collapsed and the airplane slid on its nose until it stopped partially off to the side of the runway. A witness located at the airport's fixed base operator (FBO) provided a written statement. He said the airplane touched down on all three landing gear simultaneously, bounced, then landed hard on the nose landing gear, collapsing it. The airplane then skidded approximately 400 feet before it exited the side of the runway. Another witness stated the speed of the airplane was "excessive" and that it landed in a flat, "neutral" attitude, and bounced back into the air. At that point, the witness lost sight of the airplane and did not see it touch down the second time. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine and single engine land. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued on June 13, 2014. He reported 4,000 total hours of flight experience, of which 500 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. At 1655, the weather conditions reported at JKA included scattered clouds at 3,200 feet, visibility 10 miles, temperature 30 degrees C, dewpoint 23 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of mercury. The wind was from 230 degrees at 3 knots. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site and moved to the FBO. Examination of photographs revealed a separated nose landing gear, cut and torn front tire, crushed nose cone, and substantial damage to the fuselage and cabin areas. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. He stated that his review of the airplane revealed damage due to overstress that was consistent with a hard landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9411Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9411Y-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N TC-23, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 95 55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-55) (registry code 1152702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-23 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 4526 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR IO-470 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tackett John Z - Registered owner: Tackett John Z - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 2014 - Destination: JKA, Gulf Shores, AL - Airport: JKA, Jack Edwards, runway 09, 6,962 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: JKA ## 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 20140626011079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140626011079A), Jun 26, 2014: Beech 95-55, Gulf Shores, AL, Substantial damage. On June 26, 2014, the pilot of N9411Y was landing in Gulf Shores, Alabama (jka). The pilot completed a VFR approach for a landing on runway 9. During the… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89592. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 867 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Airport Incident Narrative (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Airport%20Incident%20Narrative-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 5, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Airplane as Found (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 703 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424568&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20as%20Found%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Forward Cabin Buckling (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Forward%20Cabin%20Buckling%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Torn and Cut Front Tire (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Torn%20and%20Cut%20Front%20Tire%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.