# NTSB LAX95LA270: Beech 77, N38062, Madera, CA, July 27, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1995, 17:30 local (Jul 27, 1995, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Madera, CA
- Coordinates: 36.909671, -120.190513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9097&lon=-120.1905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA270

## Probable cause

The student pilot's improper compensation for the wind condition and improper use of the rudder.  The whirlwind was a factor in this accident.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear strut - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT EXECUTED A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING AT THE AIRPORT AFTER COMPLETING A SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE STUDENT SAID THAT ON THE SECOND LANDING THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A STONG GUST OF WIND THAT TURNED THE AIRPLANE 45-DEGREES TO THE RIGHT. HE SAID THAT HE APPLIED EXCESSIVE LEFT RUDDER AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN SKIDDING DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A PLOWED FURROW. A 30-DEGREE CROSSWIND AT 6 KNOTS EXISTED.

## Factual narrative

On July 26, 1995, at 1730 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech BE-77, N38062, encountered a whirlwind and ground looped while landing on runway 30 at Madera Municipal Airport, Madera, California.  The airplane exited the runway and its nose gear collapsed when it struck a furrow next to the runway.  The student pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules solo instructional flight and was not injured.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the student pilot's flight instructor, sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Fresno Air Terminal, Fresno, California, at 1630 hours.

The student pilot said in the aircraft accident report that the accident occurred on the second landing.  When the main landing gear touched down, a gust of wind turned the airplane 45-degrees to the right.  The student pilot said he applied left rudder, but overcorrected.  The airplane began skidding down the runway and exited the runway.

At the time of the accident, the surface winds were from 270-degrees at 6 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38062](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38062), registered now, S/N WA-204, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 77
- Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 204
- Airframe hours: 2937
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John M. Alves
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1995, 66 hours before
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: MAE
- Airport: MAE, Madera, runway 30, 4,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 54 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19950726019719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950726019719A), Jul 26, 1995: Beech 77, Madera, CA, Substantial damage. Gust caused 45% right turn landing. Excessive left rudder caused skid sideways. Exited runway. Folded nose gear.

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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