# NTSB GAA18CA304: Beech 58, N406PA, Gainesville, GA, May 6, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 6, 2018, 15:06 local (19:06 UTC) - Place: Gainesville, GA - Coordinates: 34.273612, -83.83139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2736&lon=-83.8314&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97341 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97341/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97341 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA304 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 58, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Beech 58, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Beech 58, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 58, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Beech 58, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, the airplane hit the runway unexpectedly, and he initiated a go-around by adding full power. He added that the airplane struck the runway again, but he continued the go-around. Subsequently, the pilot diverted to an alternate airport and landed without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 350° at 13 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot attempted to land on runway 29. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing in gusty crosswind conditions, the airplane hit the runway unexpectedly, and he initiated a go-around by adding full power. He added that, the airplane struck the runway a second time, but he continued the go-around. Subsequently, the pilot diverted to an alternate airport and landed without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 350° at 13 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot attempted to land on runway 29. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N406PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N406PA), registered now, S/N TH-1338, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 58 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH-1338 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 5402.5 - Engines: Continental IO-520-CB9F reciprocating; Continental IO-520-CB9F reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2017 - Departed: LUK, Cincinnati, OH - Destination: GVL, Gainesville, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: GVL, Lee Gilmer Memorial, runway 29, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 27, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 1,633 total, 1,373 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 13 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KGVL ## 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 20180506004789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180506004789A), May 6, 2018: Beech 58, Gainesville, GA, Substantial damage. The aircraft was on an IFR flight plan from lunken airport, cincinnati, oh (kluk) to Gainesville, GA (kgvl) on may 6, 2018. The flight was cleared for a visual… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97341. 542 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 366 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465735&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.