# NTSB FTW97LA059: Cessna 340, N999JW, El Dorado, TX, December 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 10, 1996, 18:15 local (Dec 11, 1996, 00:15 UTC) - Place: El Dorado, TX - Coordinates: 30.860403, -100.590667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8604&lon=-100.5907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20124 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20124/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA059 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. The gusty wind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was 'approximately 100 feet short of the runway and approximately 35-50 feet above the ground, [when the] right wing went up, then [the] left wing struck the tarmac.' Two witnesses stated that the winds were 'gusty' at the time of the accident. After the accident, the pilot stated that he thought he had encountered an unexpected gust of wind during short final. He estimated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots or greater. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the left wing and collapsed left main and nose gear. Ground scars with aircraft paint transfers were found approximately 27 feet left of runway centerline. The pilot and an FAA inspector noted that grass was overgrowing the edges of the runway (approximately 8-12 feet on each side). No mechanical anomalies with the aircraft were found that would have contributed to the accident. The accident occurred at dusk; the runway lights were operational. ## Factual narrative On December 10, 1996, approximately 1755 central standard time, a Cessna 340A, N999JW, owned and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, was substantially damaged during landing at Eldorado Municipal Airport, Eldorado, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at 1500 from Fort Smith, Arkansas and had been airborne approximately 3 hours prior to the accident. According to the pilot, while on a two mile final for runway 17, the aircraft was "blown off center to the east." He stated that subsequent alignment corrections were made "easily." Flaps were extended to 30 degrees. The pilot further stated that he was "approximately 100 feet short of the runway and approximately 35-50 feet above the ground [when the] right wing went up, then [the] left wing struck the tarmac." Two witnesses, who were playing golf nearby, stated that the winds were "gusty" at the time of the accident. In an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he thought that he encountered an unexpected gust of wind during short final. He estimated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots or greater. Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed structural damage to the left wing, and collapsed left main and nose gear. Ground scars with aircraft paint transfers were found approximately 27 feet left of runway centerline. The FAA inspector and pilot also noted that grass was overgrowing the edges of the runway (approximately 8-12 feet on each side). Grass had overgrown laterally to the center of the "1" and the center of the "7" identifying the runway as "17". No mechanical anomalies with the aircraft were found that would have contributed to the accident event. The runway lights were operational. ## Aircraft - Registration: N999JW (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 340 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 340A0113 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Douglas L. Franklin - Registered owner: Franklin, Franklin & Betz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FSM, FORT SMITH, AR - Destination: 27R - Airport: 27R, Eldorado, runway 17, 3,150 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 190° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °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 19961211038919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961211038919A), Dec 11, 1996: Cessna 340A, Eldorado, TX, Substantial damage. Blown off runway alignment on final regained center. Windgust raised right wing. Left wing hit short of runway. 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.