FTW98LA095

On final approach to runway 14, at an altitude of approximately 20 feet AGL, the airplane began to sink rapidly, and subsequently impacted below the top of a 15-foot tall embankment short of the approach end of the runway. Although a witness reported that hangars along the runway and large trees on short final to runway 14 'sometimes create turbulence and windshear in this area when winds are strong,' the pilot stated that weather was 'not a factor.'

On January 9, 1998, at 1600 central standard time, a Beech V35 airplane, N99V, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an undershoot while landing on runway 14 at Elm Creek Airpark near Seguin, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight that departed Elm Creek at 1500.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that on final approach, he "had about a 15-20 degree crab to the left," "lowered full flaps at approximately 300 feet AGL," and "maintained 80 mph." He further reported that he "cut power and prepared for touchdown, and without stall warning or any other indication, the aircraft dropped approximately 20 feet and struck the ground slightly below the runway level." The pilot provided a sketch indicating that the airplane impacted below the top of a 15 foot tall embankment short of the approach end of runway 14. He stated that weather was "not a factor" and reported that winds at the time of the accident were from 120 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 15 knots.

Witnesses statements were obtained from two witnesses who were standing outside approximately 200 yards south of the approach end of runway 14. One of the witnesses reported that "on final approach everything looked normal" until "just prior to reaching the fence line (airport property), the aircraft sunk rapidly, struck the ground, and slid several hundred feet down the runway on its belly." The other witness stated that the airplane's final approach "appeared normal until short final" when "as cross controls were applied to counteract the crosswind from the right, aircraft began to sink and drift to the left." He further stated that the airplane was at an altitude of "about 20-25 feet or less when this began," and the "sink rate seemed to increase and aircraft struck 8-10 feet short of runway." This witness reported "strong gusty winds from SSW [200 degrees] at about 20 mph [17 knots]" and stated that hangars along the runway and large trees on short final to runway 14 "sometimes create turbulence and windshear in this area when winds are strong."

According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane, the nose gear had collapsed, both main landing gear were pushed through the wings, and the aft wing spars were cracked.

At 1551, the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at the New Braunfels Municipal Airport, located 12 nautical miles north of the accident site, recorded winds from 200 degrees at 17 knots.