# NTSB FTW98LA025: Beech A36TC, N42AM, Stratford, TX, October 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 1997, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Stratford, TX - Coordinates: 36.330223, -102.070472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3302&lon=-102.0705&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 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20464 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20464/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath with the airplane resulting in the airplane not touching down at the proper touchdown point on the runway. A factor was the unfavorable winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - proper glidepath - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis Due to several hangars located near the approach end of the runway 4, the pilot made a high approach. The airplane touched down about 1/3 of the way down the 3,030-ft runway, and when the pilot realized that he was not going to get the airplane stopped on the runway, he veered the airplane to the right in an attempt to avoid a ditch located near the end of runway. The airplane struck the ditch, collapsing the nose gear and damaging the left wing's rear spar. The winds were from the north at 20 knots gusting to 25 knots during the approach to the runway; however, as the airplane touched down the winds changed to the north northwest. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 1997, at 1400 central daylight time, a Beech A36TC airplane, N42AM, impacted the terrain while landing at the Stratford Field Airport, Stratford, Texas. The airplane, owned and operated by Walter Lasley and Sons, Inc., of Stratford, Texas, was flown under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and the passenger did not receive injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination airport. The flight departed Kansas City, Missouri, at 1200 on an IFR flight plan. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported encountering IMC for approximately 20 minutes en route at 8,000 feet MSL. Thirty miles from the destination airport, the pilot canceled the IFR clearance and began the descent profile for a visual approach to runway 04. Due to several hangars located near the approach end of the runway, the pilot made a "high approach." Winds were from the north at 20 knots gusting to 25 knots, and the airplane touched down about 1/3 of the way down the 3,030 foot long runway. When the pilot realized that he was not going to get the airplane stopped on the runway, he veered the airplane to the right in an attempt to avoid a ditch located near the end of runway. The airplane struck the ditch, collapsing the nose gear and damaging the left wing's rear spar. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the pilot stated that the winds were from the north during the approach to runway 04; however, as the airplane touched down the winds changed to the "north northwest maybe favoring [runway] 22." The pilot stated that "pilot error is all I can say." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42AM), registered now, S/N EA-29, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A36TC - Registry model: [Beech A36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36tc) (registry code 1151603) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: EA-29 - Airframe hours: 3423 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-UB1B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter Lasley And Sons, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1997, 47 hours before - Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO - Destination: Q70 - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: Q70, Stratford Field, runway 4, 3,030 × 32 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,442 total, 3,400 in this make and model, 7,442 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 20 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 19971019030759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971019030759A), Oct 19, 1997: Beech A36TC, Stratford, TX, Substantial damage. Overshot runway landing. Strong crosswind. Veered off near end to prevent overrun. Hit ditch and embankment. (.4)due to several hangars located near the… 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.