# NTSB FTW95LA193: Beech F33A, N18413, Houston, TX, May 7, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1995, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Location: 29.5061° N, 95.4769° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HOUSTON/SOUTHWEST (AXH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5061&lon=-95.4769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19411 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19411/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA193 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis WHILE FLARING FOR A CROSSWIND LANDING, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO DRIFT LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY. FULL POWER WAS ADDED TO GO AROUND, BUT THE LEFT WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN 90 DEGREES TO THE RUNWAY. WIND FROM 170 DEGREES VARYING IN SPEED FROM 13 TO 20 KNOTS WAS REPORTED AT 1150 CDT AT HOBBY AIRPORT 15 MILES NORTHEAST. THE PILOT REPORTED WIND WAS FROM 160 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 20. THE MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED CROSSWIND COMPONENT FOR THE AIRPLANE WAS 17 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1995, at 1200 central daylight time, a Beech F33A, N18413, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing near Houston, Texas. The private pilot and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight from Batesville, Texas. The pilot reported that, while he was flaring the airplane for landing on runway 09 at Houston Southwest Airport (AXH), he noticed he was drifting toward the left side of the runway. He further stated that full power was applied in an attempt to go around; however, the left wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane impacted at a 90 degree angle to the runway and slid through a grassy area and across a taxiway before coming to rest. Damage included separation of the nose landing gear and deformation of the engine support beam and firewall. At 1150 central daylight time, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) located 15 miles to the northeast was reporting wind from 170 degrees varying in speed from 13 to 20 knots. Pilot reported wind was from 160 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20. According to the manufacturer, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for a Beech F33A is 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18413](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18413), registered now, S/N CE-736, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH F33A - Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-736 - Airframe hours: 1400 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David G. Todd - Registered owner: Cambe Geological Services, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1995, 10 hours before - Departed: NONE, BATESVILLE, TX - Destination: AXH - Airport: AXH, Houston Southwest, runway 9, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 15 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19950507010829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950507010829A), May 7, 1995: Beech F33A, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Drifted in flare on crosswind landing. Began go around. Dragged left wing. Cartwheeled. Wind component exceeded. 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.