# NTSB LAX08CA202: Beech F33/G, N331HP, Groveland, CA, June 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2008, 21:25 local (Jun 28, 2008, 04:25 UTC) - Place: Groveland, CA - Coordinates: 37.856945, -120.173332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8569&lon=-120.1733&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68335 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68335/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA202 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions and failure to maintain proper alignment at touchdown resulting in a side load on the landing gear, which caused them to collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [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 · Not specified; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the landing flare, a crosswind gust blew the airplane off the runway centerline path. The airspeed was too low to perform a go-around, so the pilot attempted to regain the runway centerline. The airplane touched down while moving laterally, and the landing gear became side loaded and collapsed. The airplane slid off the runway and stopped. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that he performed a landing approach to runway 9 at Pine Mountain Lake Airport. During the landing flare, a wind gust blew the airplane off the runway centerline flight path. The airspeed was too low to perform a go-around, so he attempted to regain the runway centerline. The airplane touched down while moving laterally, and the landing gear became side loaded and collapsed. The airplane exited the runway and stopped. The wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported gusts of 10 knots at the accident site. The pilot indicated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: N331HP (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech F33/G - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE1334 - Airframe hours: 1301 - Engines: Lycoming IO-520-BB reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: ZPlane, LLC - Registered owner: Z Plane LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2007 - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Destination: E45, Groveland, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: E45, Pine Mountain Lake Airport, runway 9, 3,625 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review September 1, 2007; flight hours: 1,454 total, 1,161 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: MOD ## 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 20080627840649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080627840649A), Jun 27, 2008: Beech F33A, Groveland, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On Friday 06/27/2008 at approx 2115 LCL a Beech 33 N331HP experienced a sudden gust of wind resulting in an uncontrolled landing on rnwy 9 at Pine mtn… 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.