# NTSB GAA16CA494: Beech B23, N4002T, Raleigh, NC, September 16, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 16, 2016, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Raleigh, NC - Coordinates: 35.61861, -78.699165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6186&lon=-78.6992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94045 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA494 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94045/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94045 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA494 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 B23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151240), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151240), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Beech B23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=1151240), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Beech B23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=1151240), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech B23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1151240), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151240), [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 B23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151240), [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 B23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151240), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he crossed midfield, entered the traffic pattern, and then flew down the centerline to "view the runway", but it was "getting dark and difficult to see". The pilot further reported that after touchdown the runway conditions were worse than he had expected and "heavy vegetation pulled" the airplane to the left. The airplane veered off the runway to the left and impacted a group of small pine trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he crossed midfield, entered the traffic pattern, and then flew down the centerline to "view the runway", but it was "getting dark and difficult to see". The pilot further reported that after touchdown the runway conditions were worse than he had expected and "heavy vegetation pulled" the airplane to the left. The airplane veered off the runway to the left and impacted a group of small pine trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4002T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4002T-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N M-1108, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B23 - Registry model: [Beech B23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b23) (registry code 1151240) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-1108 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 2015 - Departed: SVH, STATESVILLE, NC - Destination: 5W5, Raleigh, NC - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: 5W5, Triple W, runway 16, 3,004 × 40 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 236 total, 173 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 50° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KHRJ, 14 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 20160916024329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160916024329A), Sep 16, 2016: Beech B23, Fuquay Verina, NC, Substantial damage. On September 16th, at approximately 636 pm local, N4002T departed ksvh statesville direct to 5W5 fuqua varina. The flight was to take about 1 hour 14 minutes.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94045. 3.3 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=40447657&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447658&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.