# NTSB FTW98LA079: Beech 35-B33, N5743K, Englewood, CO, December 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 27, 1997, 14:51 local (21:51 UTC) - Place: Englewood, CO - Coordinates: 39.580875, -104.860656 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5809&lon=-104.8607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20504 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20504/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to land in wind conditions that exceeded the airplane's crosswind component, and his failure to divert to an alternate airport with runways more nearly aligned with the wind. Factors were the icy runway and crosswind. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - water,frozen ## Analysis The prevailing wind favored landing on runway 28, but it was closed due to a previous incident and the airplane was blocking the runway. The pilot accepted runway 35R for landing. The wind was from 290 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 28 knots. As the pilot aligned the airplane with the runway, he noticed 'snow fingers' across the runway so he planned his touchdown between the centerline and the right side of the runway. The airplane touched down and the crosswind caused the airplane to drift right. The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a snow berm on the right side of the runway. According to the Beech Aircraft Corporation, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the Beech 35-B33 is 17 knots. This would produce a crosswind component of about 17 knots and a headwind component about 10 knots. Gusts of 28 knots would produce a crosswind component of about 24 knots and a headwind component of 14 knots. ## Factual narrative On December 27, 1997, at 1451 mountain standard time, a Beech 35-B33, N5743K, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a snow berm while landing at Englewood, Colorado. The private pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Fort Worth, Texas, at 1115 central standard time, and made an en route stop at Wichita Falls, Texas. According to the pilot, the prevailing wind favored landing on runway 28. The runway, however, was closed due to a previous incident and the airplane was blocking the runway. The pilot accepted runway 35R for landing. He said control tower personnel told him the wind was from 290 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 28 knots. As the pilot aligned the airplane with the runway, he noticed "snow fingers" across the runway so he planned his touchdown between the centerline and the right side of the runway. The airplane touched down and the crosswind caused the airplane to drift right. The airplane struck a snow berm on the right side of the runway, causing it to spin around. According to the Beech Aircraft Corporation, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the Beech 35-B33 is 17 knots. Plotting the reported wind on the wind component chart, it was determined that a 60 degree crosswind at 20 knots would produce a crosswind component of about 17 knots and a headwind component about 10 knots. Gusts of 28 knots would produce a crosswind component of about 24 knots and a headwind component of 14 knots. There was substantial damage to the right wing. Additionally, the landing gear collapsed and the engine was torn loose from its mounts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5743K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5743K-1999-11-09), registration cancelled 1999-11-09, S/N CD-788 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35-B33 - Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD788 - Airframe hours: 4572 - Engines: Teledyne Cont IO-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: L. Max Moseley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1997, 91 hours before - Departed: SPS, WICHITA FALLS, TX - Destination: APA - Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 35R ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 879 total, 177 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: APA ## 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 19971227043679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971227043679A), Dec 27, 1997: Beech 35B33, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Runway into wind closed. Slid off icy rwy 35 in strong crosswind into snowbank. Cross wind compsonent exceeded. (.4)the prevailing wind favored landing on… 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.