# NTSB FTW87LA205: Beech RC-45J, N11249, Houston, TX, August 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1987, 20:00 local (Aug 20, 1987, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA205

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tailwheel lock - worn (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - poor, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tailwheel lock - failure,total (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS, ALMOST TO A FULL STOP, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE HAD ASKED A COMMERCIAL PILOT TO ACCOMPANY HIM ON THIS FLIGHT. THE PLT STATED THAT ON THE FOURTH LANDING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WENT SLIGHTLY OFF THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY AND WHEN THE PLT CORRECTED, THE AIRCRAFT SEEMED TO JUMP OR BOUNCE AND ENTERED A SKID TO THE RIGHT WHICH WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE TAIL WHEEL WAS FOUND IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION AND WAS SWIVELED TO A POSITION FOR A HARD RIGHT TURN EVEN THOUGH THE LOCKING PIN WAS IN THE LOCKED POSITION. APPARENTLY THE TAIL WHEEL BECAME UNLOCKED DURING OR AFTER THE THIRD LANDING DUE TO EXCESS WEAR ON THE PIN AND/OR THE PIN HOLE AND BECAME COCKED SO THAT DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11249](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11249-1990-04-26), registration cancelled 1990-04-26, S/N 23801 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH RC-45J
- Registry model: [Beech RC-45J](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-rc-45j) (registry code 1151021) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23801
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank Bell
- Registered owner: Jack A Sharpe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: T17, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: T17, Weiser, runway 9, 3,467 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DWH, 10 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 19870819075729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870819075729A), Aug 19, 1987: Beech RC45J, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on rollout. Struck a ditch. Tail wheel in locked position. Tail wheel swiveled almost 90 degrees.

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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