# NTSB FTW01LA163: Beech D35, N2118D, Houston, TX, May 13, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 2001, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.506111, -95.476943 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5061&lon=-95.4769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52690 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52690/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA163 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - approach light/navaid ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, approximately 1,100 feet down the runway, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck the concrete pillar supporting the visual approach slope indicator (VASI). Subsequently, the airplane went through a ditch, crossed a taxiway, and went through another ditch on the opposite side of the taxiway before coming to rest near several above ground fuel tanks. The pilot reported to airport personnel that he had inadvertently placed his right foot on the left rudder pedal during the takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2001, approximately 1400 CDT, a Beech D35, single-engine airplane, N2118D, sustained substantial damage when it collided with an object during takeoff roll from the Houston-Southwest Airport, near Houston, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injuried. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses and the airport manager reported that the airplane was taking off from runway 9. Approximately 1,100 feet down the runway, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck the concrete pillar supporting the visual approach slope indicator (VASI). Subsequently, the airplane went through a ditch, crossed a taxiway, and went through another ditch on the opposite side of the taxiway before coming to rest near several above ground fuel tanks. The pilot reported that he had inadvertently placed his right foot on the left rudder pedal during the takeoff roll. The FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, found a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 foot tear in the left side of the fuselage aft of the trailing edge of the left wing. Damage was also found on the ruddervator. Both propeller blades were bent aft, and the nose landing gear was collapsed. Numerous attempts were made by the FAA inspector and the NTSB investigator-in-charge to contact the pilot. To date, the pilot has neither responded nor submitted a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2118D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2118D-2012-08-23), registration cancelled 2012-08-23, S/N D-3463, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech D35 - Registry model: [Beech D35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d35) (registry code 1151510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-3463 - Engines: Continental E-185 185 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gene W. Frohbieter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AXH, Houston, TX - Airport: AXH, Houston-Southwest, runway 09, 5,003 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20010513016379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010513016379A), May 13, 2001: Beech D35, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departing rwy 090. Approximately 1100 feet on take-off aircraft became airborne and departed runway to the left (north) coming in contact with… 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.