# NTSB LAX04CA104: Beech F33A, N33HY, Shoshone, CA, January 22, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 22, 2004, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Shoshone, CA - Coordinates: 35.968612, -116.269447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9686&lon=-116.2694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58663 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58663/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA104 ## Probable cause the CFI's failure to verify the wind direction prior to takeoff, which resulted in his failure to attain an adequate airspeed and led to an inadvertent stall-mush. The short runway and variable winds were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - terrain condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The airplane collided with the ground during takeoff, and came to rest inverted. A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a private pilot undergoing familiarization training in the airplane had flown to the airport earlier on the day of the accident. Prior to the accident takeoff, the windsock was indicating variable winds from 290 degrees. The CFI and the student had a brief discussion about downhill and downwind takeoffs. After a preflight, they taxied to the runway. The airplane did not accelerate as expected, and the remaining runway was insufficient to abort. The CFI said he continued the takeoff and "forced the aircraft to fly at a very low airspeed." The airplane was at a very high angle of attack and the CFI realized the airplane would not accelerate so he extended the flaps to 15 degrees to lower the stall speed. In spite of efforts to regain flying speed, the airplane settled to the ground with the landing gear extended. After touchdown, the CFI reduced the power, and the nose gear collapsed. The tail of the airplane then came over the top, and the airplane came to rest inverted. Other pilots at the airport indicated that the wind had been "on and off" all morning, and had been as high as 15 to 20 knots. The CFI believed that the wind picked up during the time from engine start to the takeoff roll. He did not recheck the windsock. The CFI said that no mechanical malfunctions were noted with the airplane prior to the accident. To prevent future accidents the CFI recommended completing a final check on the wind direction, prior to starting the takeoff roll. The airplane was equipped with a "throw-over" yoke that was positioned in front of the CFI, who was the flying pilot. The runway was 2,380 feet long and 30 feet wide. ## Factual narrative On January 22, 2004, about 1230 Pacific standard time, a Beech F33A, N33HY, collided with the ground during takeoff from the Shoshone Airport (L61), Shoshone, California, and came to rest inverted. The certified flight instructor (CFI) was operating the borrowed airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The CFI sustained serious injuries, and the private pilot/owner undergoing instruction (PUI) was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The instructional flight was en route to North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), Las Vegas, Nevada, and was originating at the time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the CFI reported that the airplane landed uneventfully at the Shoshone airport earlier that day. Based on the windsock, the winds were from 290 degrees at 15 to 24 knots, variable and gusty. The CFI and PUI went to lunch. After lunch, the windsock was indicating variable winds from 290 degrees. The CFI had a brief discussion with the student about downhill and downwind takeoffs. After a preflight, they taxied to runway 15. The airplane did not accelerate as expected, and the remaining runway was insufficient to abort. The CFI continued the takeoff, and "forced the aircraft to fly at a very, low airspeed." The CFI then extended the flaps 15 degrees to lower the stall speed. As the airplane touched down, the CFI was unsure if the tail touched down first. He reduced the power, and the nose gear collapsed. The tail of the airplane then came over the top, and the airplane came to rest inverted. Local residents near and at the airport indicated that the wind had been "on and off" all morning, and as high as 15 to 20 knots. The pilot believed that the wind picked up during the time of the preflight, to the takeoff roll. He did not recheck the windsock. The CFI noted no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. To prevent future accidents the CFI recommended completing a final check on the wind direction, prior to starting the takeoff roll. In a telephone conversation, the PUI reported that he had recently purchased the airplane. He was becoming familiar with the airplane, and the CFI operated the airplane controls during the takeoff. The airplane was equipped with a "throw-over" yoke. The yoke was positioned to the left front. The PUI was seated in the right front. The Airport/Facility Directory indicated that runway 15/33 was 2,380 feet long and 30 feet wide. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33HY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33HY-2004-03-29), registration cancelled 2004-03-29, S/N CE-1260, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech F33A - Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-1260 - Engines: Continental IO-520 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pioneer Plumbing, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: L61, Shoshone, CA - Destination: VGT, Las Vegas, NV - Airport: L61, Shoshone Airport, runway 15 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 60; injuries: serious; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 19,573 total, 100 in this make and model, 121 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3 ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040122001659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040122001659A), Jan 22, 2004: Beech F33A, Shoshone, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Turner attempted to take off downwind on a short runway. With insufficient airspeed and little runway remaining, Mr. Turner departed the… 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.