# NTSB GAA16CA357: Beech 23, N8704M, Maryville, MO, July 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 1, 2016, 19:12 local (Jul 2, 2016, 00:12 UTC) - Place: Maryville, MO - Coordinates: 40.331665, -94.834724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3317&lon=-94.8347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93536 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA357 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93536/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93536 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA357 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines on approach during landing, resulting a power line strike, uncontrolled descent, and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Beech 23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that on final approach to runway 17, he was "distracted" by the runway composition and dimensions. The pilot reported that he identified the high tension power lines just before impact. He recalled that when he saw the power lines he "pulled up" in an attempt to climb, however it was too late, the propeller and engine cowl struck the power lines and the airplane slid down the power line wires toward the ground and came to rest in a corn field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the cabin, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations. The Airport/Facility Directory states the dimensions and composition of the runway, displaced threshold and the high tension power lines as: The first 630 feet of the runway is gravel and turf, and the width is 60 feet. The next 1300 feet of runway is a 14 foot wide section of concrete with 18 feet of turf on both sides of the concrete. The final 1120 feet of runway is a 12 to 25 foot wide section of gravel and asphalt chips, with 12.5 to17.5 feet of turf on both sides of the gravel and asphalt chips. The displaced threshold is marked with 5 tires on each side of the runway. High tension power line wires are about 1200 feet north of the runway threshold and do not have any safety markings. The power lines that the airplane struck intersect and cross the approach end of runway 17 at approximately 30 degrees. Furthermore, the power lines are depicted on the FAA Aeronautical Chart for the airport. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that on final approach to runway 17, he was "distracted" by the runway composition and dimensions. The pilot reported that he identified the high tension power lines just before impact. He recalled that when he saw the power lines he "pulled up" in an attempt to climb, however it was too late, the propeller and engine cowl struck the power lines and the airplane slid down the power line wires toward the ground and came to rest in a corn field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the cabin, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations. The Airport/Facility Directory states the dimensions and composition of the runway, displaced threshold and the high tension power lines as: The first 630 feet of the runway is gravel and turf, and the width is 60 feet. The next 1300 feet of runway is a 14 foot wide section of concrete with 18 feet of turf on both sides of the concrete. The final 1120 feet of runway is a 12 to 25 foot wide section of gravel and asphalt chips, with 12.5 to17.5 feet of turf on both sides of the gravel and asphalt chips. The displaced threshold is marked with 5 tires on each side of the runway. High tension power line wires are about 1200 feet north of the runway threshold and do not have any safety markings. The power lines that the airplane struck intersect and cross the approach end of runway 17 at approximately 30 degrees. Furthermore, the power lines are depicted on the FAA Aeronautical Chart for the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8704M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8704M), registered now, S/N M-488, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 23 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Beech 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-23) (registry code 1151202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-488 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3356.6 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 2015 - Departed: TVK, CENTERVILLE, IA - Destination: 78Y, Marryville, MO - Airport: 78Y, Rankin, runway 17, 3,050 × 25 ft, gravel - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 23, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 463 total, 52 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KFNB, 38 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 20160701006549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160701006549A), Jul 1, 2016: Beech 23, Maryville, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot was on final approach to runway 17 at Rankin Airport (78Y) and struck power lines approximately one hundred and twenty yards from the end of runway 17.… ## Other investigations on N8704M (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC68F0074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0074), Jul 18, 1967: Beech 23 (N8704M), Spring Valley, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 13, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93536. 2.4 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=40445296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Rankin Airport/Facility Directory (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Rankin%20Airport%2FFacility%20Directory-Master.PDF - Google Earth View (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Google%20Earth%20View-Master.PDF - Aeronautical Chart View (item 4, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aeronautical%20Chart%20View-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 271 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445300&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.