# NTSB GAA17CA008: Beech 35, N4836J, Lawrence, KS, October 1, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2016, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lawrence, KS - Coordinates: 39.004444, -95.211112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0044&lon=-95.2111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94160 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94160/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94160 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA008 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in an unstabilized approach and collision with runway approach lights. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151408), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he was conducting primary flight training in a complex, high-performance airplane. On final approach during daylight hours, the runway's precision approach path indicator (PAPI) indicated the airplane was low on the approach path. He advised the student pilot to reduce the rate of descent. He further reported that the student pilot "relaxed his white knuckle grip" and the airplane pitched down "significantly". The flight instructor grabbed the control yoke and applied full throttle, but the airplane struck the runway approach lights during the low altitude recovery. The flight instructor landed the airplane without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane, by the flight instructor, revealed the airplane was trimmed nose down and that the right wing had sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that he was conducting primary flight training in a complex, high-performance airplane. On final approach during daylight hours, the runway's precision approach path indicator (PAPI) indicated the airplane was low on the approach path. He advised the student pilot to reduce the rate of decent. He further reported that the student pilot "relaxed his white knuckle grip" and the airplane pitched down "significantly". The flight instructor grabbed the control yoke and applied full throttle, but the airplane struck the runway approach lights during the low altitude recovery. The flight instructor landed the airplane without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane, by the flight instructor, revealed the airplane was trimmed nose down and that the right wing had sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4836J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4836J-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N CD-1062, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 35 (C33) - Registry model: [Beech 35-C33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-c33) (registry code 1151408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD-1062 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 7480.2 - Engines: Continental IO-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2016 - Departed: LWC, Lawrence, KS - Destination: LWC, Lawrence, KS - Airport: LWC, Lawrence Muni, runway 33, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 55; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 9 total, 9 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 72; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2015; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 15,000 total, 35 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KLWC ## 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 20161001019749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161001019749A), Oct 1, 2016: Beech 35-C33, Lawrence, KS, Substantial damage. On October 1, 2016, the airman, exercising the privileges of a certified flight instructor certificate (CFI), was acting as pilot-in-command of a Beech… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 19, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94160. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448464&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.