# NTSB GAA17CA500: Beech C23, N6576R, Rexburg, ID, August 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 21, 2017, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Rexburg, ID - Coordinates: 43.833889, -111.805 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8339&lon=-111.8050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95860 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA500 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95860/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95860 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA500 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to land the airplane with insufficient runway remaining after realizing the airplane wasn't climbing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech C23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Beech C23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Beech C23, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech C23, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, about 2,100 ft down the 4,210-ft-long runway, the airplane had accelerated to 65 knots. The airplane remained in ground effect for about 1,000 more feet but would not climb. The pilot feared the airplane would collide with obstacles beyond the end of the runway, and he aborted the takeoff. During landing, the airplane bounced, and when it descended back to the runway, the pilot immediately applied the brakes. The airplane exited the left side of the runway before reaching the runway threshold. The airplane continued about 120 ft and then collided with a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the lower left fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The METAR at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 8 knots, and the temperature was 73°F. The field elevation was 4,862 ft, and the density altitude was 6,682 ft. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook, under the reported weather conditions, the minimum ground roll was about 2,249 ft, and the minimum distance to clear a 50-ft obstacle was about 3,701 ft. Further, the normal distance to land would have been about 901 ft. According to FAA-H-8083-25A, The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 10 (Aircraft Performance) pg.16: The most critical conditions of landing performance are combinations of high gross weight, high density altitude, and unfavorable wind. These conditions produce the greatest required landing distances and critical levels of energy dissipation required of the brakes. In all cases, it is necessary to make an accurate prediction of minimum landing distance to compare with the available runway. A polished, professional landing procedure is necessary because the landing phase of flight accounts for more pilot-caused aircraft accidents than any other single phase of flight. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll on runway 17, about 2,100ft down the 4,210 ft runway, the airplane had accelerated to 65kts. The airplane remained in ground effect for about 1,000 additional feet but would not climb. The pilot feared the airplane would collide with obstacles beyond the end of the runway, and he aborted the takeoff. During landing, the airplane bounced and when it descended back to the runway, the pilot immediately applied the brakes. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, before the runway threshold. The airplane continued about 120ft and then collided with a chain link fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the lower left fuselage. The pilot reported that the departure weight of the airplane was 2,395.5lbs. According to the manufacturer, the maximum takeoff weight for the airplane was 2,450lbs. The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 8kts and the temperature was 73°F. The field elevation was 4,862ft and the density altitude was 6,682ft. According to the manufacturer's pilot operating handbook (POH), under the reported weather conditions, the minimum ground roll was about 2,249ft, and the minimum distance to clear a 50ft obstacle was about 3,701ft. Further, the normal distance to land would have been about 901ft. According to FAA-H-8083-25A, The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 10 (Aircraft Performance) pg.16: The most critical conditions of landing performance are combinations of high gross weight, high density altitude, and unfavorable wind. These conditions produce the greatest required landing distances and critical levels of energy dissipation required of the brakes. In all cases, it is necessary to make an accurate prediction of minimum landing distance to compare with the available runway. A polished, professional landing procedure is necessary because the landing phase of flight accounts for more pilot-caused aircraft accidents than any other single phase of flight. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6576R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6576R-2021-02-20), registration cancelled 2021-02-20, S/N M-1594, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C23 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (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-1594 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 2824 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4T 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 2017 - Departed: RXE, Rexburg, ID - Destination: U42, SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Airport: RXE, Rexburg-Madison County, runway 17, 4,204 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2017; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 92.3 total, 24.3 in this make and model, 43.7 as pilot in command, 18.1 in the last 90 days, 3.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KRXE ## 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 20170821015849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170821015849A), Aug 21, 2017: Beech C23, Rexburg, ID, Substantial damage. From phone conversation with pilot: Prior to flight, pilot and father-in-law arrived Friday for eclipse viewing. Plan was to depart right after around… ## Other investigations on N6576R (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 IAD79FID07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FID07), Feb 6, 1979: Beech C23 (N6576R), Chesterfield, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95860. 2.0 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=40461320&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461321&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.