# NTSB GAA15CA120: Beech RC 45J, N585PB, Everett, WA, June 11, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2015, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Everett, WA - Coordinates: 47.910278, -122.285552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9103&lon=-122.2856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91355 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91355/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91355 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion, and a collision with a sign. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech RC-45J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151021), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech RC-45J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151021), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech RC-45J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=1151021), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech RC-45J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151021), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech RC-45J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151021), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech RC-45J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151021), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll, as the tailwheel lowered, the airplane began to veer to the left. He applied full right rudder, and right brake, with no effect. The pilot stated that he increased the throttle on the left engine, but by that time, the aircraft had veered partially off the runway to the left and struck an airport sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll, as the tailwheel lowered, the airplane began to veer to the left. He applied full right rudder, and right brake, with no effect. The pilot stated that he increased the throttle on the left engine, but by that time, the aircraft had veered partially off the runway to the left and struck an airport sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation ## Aircraft - Registration: [N585PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N585PB-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N 029585 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH RC 45J (J) - Registry model: [Beech RC-45J](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-rc-45j) (registry code 1151021) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 029585 - Year built: 1944 - Airframe hours: 9549 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985 450 horsepower reciprocating; Pratt & Whitney R985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Historic Flight Foundation - Registered owner: Historic Flight Foundation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 2014 - Departed: PAE, Everett, WA - Destination: PAE, Everett, WA - Airport: PAE, Snohomish County (Paine Fld), runway 34L, 9,010 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KPAE ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91355. 10.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Lower left vertical stabilizer leading edge (item 2, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429457&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Lower%20left%20vertical%20stabilizer%20leading%20edge-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Leading edge of left wing (item 3, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429458&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Leading%20edge%20of%20left%20wing-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Fuselage skin wrinkled forward of tailwheel (item 4, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Fuselage%20skin%20wrinkled%20forward%20of%20tailwheel-Master.PDF 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.