# NTSB ERA15CA045: Beech V35B, N4212S, Vicksburg, MS, October 25, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 25, 2014, 11:18 local (16:18 UTC) - Place: Vicksburg, MS - Coordinates: 32.239166, -90.928054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2392&lon=-90.9281&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90365 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90365/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90365 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in variable wind conditions, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with an object. ## 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 V35B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151548), [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 V35B, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Beech V35B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151548), [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 V35B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the pilot entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport, the reported wind was variable in direction at a speed of about 5 knots. He also observed that the airport windsock was shifting variably by 180 degrees. The pilot conducted the final approach to the runway with right wind correction applied, but just before touchdown, the wind suddenly shifted to the left, and the airplane oriented right of the runway centerline. The pilot elected to continue rather than abort the landing, and the airplane touched down partially pointed right of the runway centerline. The airplane then departed the right side of the runway, and before the pilot could correct the airplane's track, the right wing stuck a precision approach path indicator light, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative As the pilot entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport, the reported wind was variable in direction at a speed of about 5 knots. He also observed that the airport windsock was shifting variably by 180 degrees. The pilot conducted the final approach to the runway with right wind correction applied, but just before touchdown, the wind suddenly shifted to the left, and the airplane oriented right of the runway centerline. The pilot elected to continue rather than abort the landing, and the airplane touched down partially pointed right of the runway centerline. The airplane then departed the right side of the runway, and before the pilot could correct the airplane's track, the right wing stuck a precision approach path indicator light, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4212S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4212S), registered now, S/N D-9954, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH V35B - Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-9954 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3318 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B4F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: J & J Aviation LLC - Registered owner: J & J Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2014, 50 hours before - Departed: LRO, MOUNT PLEASANT, SC - Destination: VKS, Vicksburg, MS - Airport: VKS, Vicksburg Muni, runway 01, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,099 total, 2,374 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KVKS ## 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 20141025020099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141025020099A), Oct 25, 2014: Beech V35B, Vicksburg, MS, Substantial damage. On touchdown aircraft veered off runway 1 to the right hitting a runway light and PAPI light. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90365. 8.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420394&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View Right Wing From Aft (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20Right%20Wing%20From%20Aft%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of Damage to Right Wing Rear Spar (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing%20Rear%20Spar%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.