# NTSB ERA20CA072: Beech 23, N24690, Norfolk, VA, January 7, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 7, 2020, 12:18 local (17:18 UTC) - Place: Norfolk, VA - Coordinates: 36.665554, -76.320556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6656&lon=-76.3206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-IFR final approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100792 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100792/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100792 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA072 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain airplane control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a bounced landing, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control during the go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 C23, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-IFR final approach: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Beech C23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-IFR final approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Beech C23, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Approach-IFR final approach: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Beech C23, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Beech C23, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he was providing instruction to the private pilot who had recently purchased a share in the airplane. They had been practicing landings and had felt wind gusts on the previous landings. Just before the airplane touched down for the fifth practice landing, a wind gust lifted the left wing, and the airplane was pushed right. The pilot attempted to correct for the gust, but the airplane bounced on all three landing gear and became airborne. The instructor told the pilot to add power and go around. Another wind gust pushed the airplane further right, and the airplane was now "clearly in a loss of control state." The instructor took the controls, but the airplane was already in a full stall with full power and full flaps extended. The airplane impacted ground adjacent to the runway. The pilot stated that, when the airplane touched down, a wind gust pushed the airplane right. The instructor yelled for full power and said, "my airplane." The wind pushed the airplane further right and the airplane impacted a ditch and spun around on the propeller. The left-wing spar fitting sustained substantial damage. The underside of the fuselage aft of the firewall, the propeller, and the nosewheel were also damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor said he was providing instruction to the private pilot who had recently purchased a share in the airplane. They had been practicing landings on runway 23 and both had felt wind gusts on the previous landings. Just before the airplane touched down for its fifth practice landing, a gust of wind lifted the airplane's left wing and the airplane was pushed to the right. The private pilot attempted to correct for the gust and the airplane bounced on all three-landing gear and became airborne. The flight instructor told the private pilot to add power and go around. Another gust of wind pushed the airplane further to the right and the airplane was now "clearly in a loss of control state." The flight instructor took the controls, but the airplane was already in a full stall, with full power and full flaps extended. The airplane impacted the ground adjacent to the runway. The private pilot stated that when the airplane touched down a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right. The flight instructor yelled for full power and said, "my airplane." The wind pushed the airplane further to the right and the airplane impacted a ditch and spun around on the propeller. The airplane's left main landing gear strut was bent aft, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing spar fitting. The underside of the fuselage aft of the firewall, the propeller, and the nose wheel were also damaged. The private pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Weather reported at the airport around the time of the accident included wind from 150° at 9 knots, 5 miles visibility, haze, and clear skies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24690](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24690-2021-06-05), registration cancelled 2021-06-05, S/N M-1435, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 23 (C23) - Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-1435 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 2583.45 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2019 - Departed: CPK, Norfolk, VA - Destination: CPK, Norfolk, VA - Airport: CPK, Chesapeake Rgnl, runway 23, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 81 total, 2 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 59; injuries: minor; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 6, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,043 total, 1 in this make and model, 983 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: CPK ## 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 20200107000469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200107000469A), Jan 7, 2020: Beech C23, Chesapeake, VA, Substantial damage. Private pilot and CFI were on a familiarization flight in a Beechcraft C23. The private pilot seated in the left seat had recently become partner in the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100792. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484257&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Written Statement - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 367 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484258&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statement%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Written Statements - CFI (item 3, .PDF, 392 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484259&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statements%20-%20CFI-Master.PDF - NTSB Record of Summary - FAA (item 4, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484260&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Summary%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photos (item 5, .PDF, 839 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484261&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.