# NTSB FTW83LA055: Beech 58, N18HM, Lovington, NM, December 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1982, 17:48 local (Dec 7, 1982, 00:48 UTC)
- Place: Lovington, NM
- Coordinates: 32.94099, -103.349525 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9410&lon=-103.3495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA055

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,passenger - unlocked
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE TAKING OFF WITH A LIGHT CROSSWIND, THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR OPENED. WHILE TRYING TO CATCH PAPERS AND HOLD THE DOOR, THE RIGHT PROPELLER STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR BEGAN COLLAPSING. BY THIS TIME, THE PILOT DECIDED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING TO ABORT, SO HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON THE SAME RUNWAY BY SETTING THE PLANE DOWN ON THE LEFT MAIN AND NOSE GEAR. AS THE SPEED REDUCED, THE RIGHT WING SETTLED AND A PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED AND PENETRATED THE FUSELAGE. NO DISCREPANCY WAS REPORTED CONCERNING THE DOOR LATCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18HM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18HM), registered now, S/N TH-651, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TH651
- Airframe hours: 1821
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Roger C. Hanks
- Registered owner: Roger C. Hanks
- Departed: E06, LOVINGTON, NM
- Destination: SAF, SANTE FE, NM
- Airport: E06, Lovington, runway 21, 4,000 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,216 total, 4,652 in this make and model, 6,207 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 154 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOB, 18 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 19821206064989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821206064989A), Dec 6, 1982: Beech 58, Lovington, NM, Substantial damage. Prop and right gear hit the runway after liftoff as pilot tried to close the door. Right gear collapsed on landing.

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.

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