# NTSB MIA03LA169: Beech 35J, N4975B, Avon Park, FL, August 10, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 2003, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Avon Park, FL
- Coordinates: 27.59111, -81.527778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5911&lon=-81.5278&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA169

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during landing resulting in the airplane drifting to the right, encountering standing water on the runway edge, and running off the runway where it incurred substantial damage.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - water
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during landing on runway 22, crosswinds from the southeast pushed the airplane to the right of runway center line where standing water caused the airplane to hydroplane out of control.

## Factual narrative

On August 10, 2003, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Raytheon Beech 35J, N4975B, registered to Fun Flight Service, LTD., had the pilot lose directional control when the flight encountered standing water on the runway edge during landing roll at Avon Park Municipal Airport, Avon Park, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and 1 passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Avon Park, the same day, at 1530.

The pilot stated that during landing on runway 22, crosswinds from the southeast pushed the airplane to the right of runway center line where standing water caused the airplane to hydroplane out of control.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4975B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4975B), registered now, S/N D-5567 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech 35J
- Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5567
- Airframe hours: 2078
- Engines: Continental IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 2003, 1 hours before
- Departed: AVO, Avon Park, FL
- Destination: AVO, Avon Park, FL
- Airport: AVO, Avon Park, runway 22, 5,364 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,262 total, 10 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KBOW, 34 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 20030810020329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030810020329A), Aug 10, 2003: Beech J35, Avon Park, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) N4975B when landing on runway 22, Avon Park, FL, aircraft ran into approx. (1) foot of standing water on the runway, pulling aircraft to the right and…

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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