# NTSB GAA17CA138: Beech T 34B, N18PS, St. Petersburg, FL, February 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 11, 2017, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: St. Petersburg, FL - Coordinates: 27.764999, -82.626945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7650&lon=-82.6269&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94715 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94715/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94715 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA138 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to the runway. ## 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 T-34B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1152014), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 T-34B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1152014), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech T-34B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=1152014), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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 T-34B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1152014), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech T-34B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1152014), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech T-34B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1152014), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after maneuvering in the local area for about 45 minutes, he returned to his home airport for landing. During the final approach, the airplane sunk below the proper glidepath, and he increased the power three separate times, but the airplane continued to sink. Subsequently, the airplane struck a seawall located about 380 ft from the runway threshold, which resulted in the propeller separating from the propeller hub and the collapse of the landing gear. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector who interviewed the pilot after the accident, the pilot reported that the engine did not contribute to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported after maneuvering in the local area for about 45 minutes, he returned to his home airport for landing. He further reported that during the final approach, the airplane sunk below the proper glide path and he increased the power three separate times, but the airplane continued to sink. Subsequently, the airplane struck a seawall located about 380 feet from the runway threshold, which resulted in the propeller separating from the propeller hub and the collapse of the landing gear. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector who interviewed the pilot after the accident, the pilot reported that the engine did not contribute to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18PS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18PS), registered now, S/N BG-327, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH T 34B (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Beech T-34B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-t-34b) (registry code 1152014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-series) (registry code 17044, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: BG-327 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 4306.7 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2016 - Departed: SPG, ST PETERSBURG, FL - Destination: SPG, ST PETERSBURG, FL - Airport: SPG, Albert Whitted, runway 25, 3,677 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 15, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,773 total, 150 in this make and model, 2,689 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KSPG ## 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 20170211000919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170211000919A), Feb 11, 2017: Beech T-34B, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. On February 11, 2017, at 1620 EDT, a Beech T-34, N18PS, registered to air 906, LLC, collided with the seawall on approach at Albert Whitted Airport, st.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 23, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94715. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 777 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450191&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450192&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 996 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.