# NTSB FTW98LA095: Beech V35, N99V, Seguin, TX, January 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 9, 1998, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Seguin, TX - Coordinates: 29.570491, -97.960052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5705&lon=-97.9601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20516 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20516/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis 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.' ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99V-1999-03-15), registration cancelled 1999-03-15, S/N D-8097 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech V35 - Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-8097 - Airframe hours: 2256 - Engines: Continental IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Benton Donegan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1997, 15 hours before - Departed: 0TX6 - Airport: 0TX6, Elm Creek, runway 14, 2,200 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 375 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 17 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: 3R5, 12 nm away ## 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 19980109001129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980109001129A), Jan 9, 1998: Beech V35, Seguin, TX, Substantial damage. Undershot runway and landed hard on short final due to turbulence. Pushed main gears through wings, cracked spars. (-23) on January 9, 1998 about 1600 CST, a… 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.