# NTSB GAA18CA335: Beech A36, N710JT, Gilliam, LA, June 6, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 6, 2018, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Gilliam, LA
- Coordinates: 32.837776, -93.837776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8378&lon=-93.8378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA335
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97450/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97450
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA335

## Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a soft-field takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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 A36, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Beech A36, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech A36, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during a soft-field takeoff from a private grass airstrip, he applied slight aft pressure to the yoke to lighten the load on the nosewheel. The airplane became airborne, but while in ground effect, the left wing dropped about 10º, and the left main landing gear contacted the runway. The airplane settled back on the ground pointing about 30º left of the runway heading. The airplane then departed the runway to the left and ground looped, during which the left landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid backward and came to rest upright on the field adjacent the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both ailerons. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that the airplane's weight and balance were within the operational limitations in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. The automated weather observation system located on an airport 18 nautical miles (nm) south of the accident site reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 90º at 5 knots. An automated weather observation station located on an airport 22 nm southeast of the accident site reported that, about 14 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 110º at 3 knots. The airplane departed from runway 26.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during a soft field takeoff from a private grass airstrip, he applied slight aft pressure to the yoke to lighten the load on the nose wheel. The airplane became airborne, but while in ground effect, the left wing dropped about 10º and the left main landing gear contacted the runway. The airplane settled back on the ground pointing about 30º left of runway heading. The airplane then departed the runway to the left, and ground-looped to the left, which collapsed the left landing gear. The airplane slid backwards and came to rest upright on the cotton field adjacent the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both ailerons. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he the weight and balance calculations were within operational limitations of the Pilot's Operating handbook. The automated weather observation system located on an airport 18 nm south reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was 90º at 5 knots. Another automated weather observation station located on an airport 22 nm southeast reported that, about 14 minutes before the accident, the wind was 110º at 3 knots. The airplane departed 26.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N710JT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N710JT-2021-07-03), registration cancelled 2021-07-03, S/N E-665, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-665
- Year built: 1975
- Engines: Lycoming IO 520 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: LA54, Gilliam, LA
- Destination: LA54, Gilliam, LA
- Airport: LA54, Gilliam, runway 26, 3,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 19, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 18,250 total, 48 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KDTN, 18 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 20180606007129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180606007129A), Jun 6, 2018: Beech A36, Gilliam, LA, Substantial damage. Executed soft field take-off technic using the left half of the runway. During take off run soon after the mains left the ground, the left wing dropped 5-10…

## Other investigations on N710JT (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 FTW78DPG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DPG56), Jul 2, 1978: Beech A36 (N710JT), Searcy, AR, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97450. 4.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (item 2, .PDF, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.

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