# NTSB LAX96LA138: Beech E33A, N7118N, Mesquite, NV, March 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 22, 1996, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Mesquite, NV - Location: 36.8331° N, 114.0559° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MESQUITE (67L), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8331&lon=-114.0559&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29393/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA138 ## Probable cause the pilot's poor judgment in attempting to take off in the existing wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (cause) - weather condition - gusts (cause) - weather condition - high wind (cause) - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft performance,crosswind capability - exceeded - In flight collision with object, takeoff - object - fence - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was departing on runway 19. Both the pilot and ground witnesses stated that the winds were from 250 degrees at 25 knots with sustained gusts to 35. As the aircraft neared liftoff airspeed, it began to drift to the left. The pilot said he pulled the aircraft off the ground at that point and the left drift increased. The aircraft drifted completely off the runway and the landing gear contacted an airport boundary fence. The aircraft then cartwheeled into an adjoining field. The crosswind components for the reported steady state and gust values were computed at 23 and 31 knots, respectively. According to the Beech Pilot Operating Handbook for the airplane, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the aircraft in takeoffs or landings is 17 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 22, 1996, at 1246 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech E33A, N7118N, collided with a fence and the ground during takeoff at the Mesquite, Nevada, airport. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot, who was beginning a personal cross-country flight to Denver, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and the two passengers onboard sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported that he was departing on runway 19. Both the pilot and ground witnesses stated that the winds were from 250 degrees at 25 knots with sustained gusts to 35. As the aircraft neared liftoff airspeed, it began to drift to the left. The pilot said he pulled the aircraft off the ground at that point and the left drift increased. The aircraft drifted completely off the runway and the landing gear contacted an airport boundary fence. The aircraft then cartwheeled into an adjoining field. The crosswind components for the reported steady state and gust values were computed at 23 and 31 knots, respectively. According to the Beech Pilot Operating Handbook for the airplane, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the aircraft in takeoffs or landings is 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7118N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7118N-2000-11-07), registration cancelled 2000-11-07, S/N CE-194 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech E33A - Registry model: [Beech E33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e33a) (registry code 1151424) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-194 - Airframe hours: 3365 - Engines: Continental IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard D. Ansay - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1995, 31 hours before - Departed: 67L - Destination: BJC, DENVER, CO - Airport: 67L, Mesquite, runway 19, 4,569 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 307 total, 148 in this make and model, 307 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 25 knots, gusting 35 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19960322004939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960322004939A), Mar 22, 1996: Beech E33A, Mesquite, NV, Substantial damage. Drifted on crosswind takeoff. Made matters worse by early liftoff to correct. Drifted into fence. Cartwheeled. 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.