# NTSB MIA08FA144: Beech A-36, N36CL, Tampa, FL, July 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2008, 15:26 local (19:26 UTC) - Place: Tampa, FL - Coordinates: 28.026945, -82.345275 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0269&lon=-82.3453&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 14, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Teledyne Continental, FAA/FSDO, Hawker Beechcraft - NTSB case key (mKey): 68457 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08FA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68457/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68457 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08FA144 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to take off with a tailwind and his failure to maintain runway alignment during initial takeoff climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech A36, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Beech A36, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot attempted a takeoff from runway 5, a 5,000-foot-long runway. The winds at the time of the accident were from 220 degrees at 6 knots. A witness observed the airplane taking off on the last one-third of the runway. The airplane's landing gear was observed to be retracted as the airplane drifted left of the runway and the right wing tip collided with an instrument landing system (ILS) glideslope antenna. The airplane impacted the ground and ultimately came to rest right side up, immediately catching fire. The ILS glideslope antenna was located 212 feet left of the runway 5 centerline and 3,461 feet from the runway 5 threshold. The exact takeoff roll start point on the last one-third of the runway was not determined. Examination of the airplane structure, flight controls, systems, engine assemblies, and accessories, revealed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 17, 2008, at 1526 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36, N36CL, registered to a private owner, operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight, operating as an Angel Flight, collided with an instrument landing system antenna during initial takeoff climb on runway 5 from Vandenberg Airport (VDF), Tampa, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The private pilot and the two passengers were killed. The flight was originating at the time, and the intended destination was Stuart, Florida. A witness stated he was driving southbound on I-75, adjacent to VDF. The accident airplane was observed taking off on the last one-third of the runway. The airplane landing gear was retracted, and the airplane drifted to the left off the side of the runway. The right wing tip of the airplane collided with a pole; and the airplane cart wheeled to the right, collided with the ground right side up, and immediately caught on fire. The witness reported a light rain and no noticeable wind. Review of the transcript between the pilot and the Tampa east satellite local controller revealed the pilot contacted the controller on the ground at VDF requesting his instrument flight clearance at 1521:39. The controller was unable to locate the flight plan and issued a clearance for the flight to enter into the Lakeland, Florida, airspace at 1522:36, with a void time, to be off the ground by 1530. The last recorded transmission between the pilot and the controller was at of 1523:56, when the pilot acknowledged the clearance by stating, "okay". PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 81, held a Federal Aviation Regulations (FAA) private pilot certificate issued on July 12, 1996, with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot was issued a FAA third class-medical certificate on August 28, 2007, with no limitations. The pilot was diagnosed with prostrate cancer since his last medical certificate. He was receiving hormone injections every 3 months with his last injection occurring about 4 weeks before the accident. In addition, the pilot had completed 21 out of 25 external radiation treatments for the disease at the time of the accident. Common side effects from such treatment can include irritation, pain, and other symptoms. The FAA does not specifically note cancer of any sort or treatment as disqualifying. The FAA does not require that medical conditions that occur between required examinations be reported. Title 14 CFR Part 61.53 states that an individual, "shall not act as pilot in command.... while the person (1) Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to meet the requirement of the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation; or (2) Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation." The pilot indicated on the application for the medical certificate that he had 4,950 total flight hours. The pilot's current logbook was not recovered and was presumed destroyed by the postcrash fire. The pilot's son stated that his father kept his pilot logbook in a black bag in the airplane. The son also stated his father's last biennial flight review was in June 2007. On April 3, 2009, an attorney representing the wife of the pilot submitted a trip report book and four old pilot logbooks to NTSB, ranging in date from 1981 through 2001. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Beech A36 is a six place all metal low wing, single-engine airplane with retractable landing gear, serial number E-1980, manufactured in 1981. A Continental IO-550-B, 300-horsepower engine powered the airplane. Review of the airplane logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was conducted on February 1, 2008. The tachometer and total time on the airframe at the annual inspection was 6,225.9 hours. The tachometer at the crash site was destroyed and the total time since the last annual inspection could not be determined. The total time on the engine as of the last entry in the logbook on May 16, 2008, was 3,527.98 total hours. The total time since major engine overhaul was 186.43 hours as of an engine logbook entry dated April 8, 2008. Penn Yan Aero, Penn Yan, New York, overhauled the engine on April 18, 2007. The engine was returned to Leading Edge Aviation Services Incorporated, Tampa, Florida, and was reinstalled on the airplane on May 30, 2007. The tachometer at the time of the installation was 6,068.55 hours. The last service performed on the engine was an oil change by Leading Edge Aviation Services Inc., on April 8, 2008. The tachometer time was 6,254.98 hours. Review of refueling records revealed Leading Edge Aviation Services Inc. refueled the airplane on July 12, 2008; with 32.16 gallons of 100 low lead fuel. WEIGHT AND BALANCE INFORMATION The maximum gross weight of the airplane was 3,600 pounds. Review of weight and balance records for the airplane revealed the last empty weight was recorded as 2,491.93 pounds. The pilot weighed 204 pounds; the center seat passengers combined weight was 308 pounds. No baggage was visible at the accident site. The airplane fuel load was reported as being full which equated to 440 pounds of fuel. The ramp weight was calculated from a Beech A36 Pilot Operating Handbook Weight and Balance Loading Form, page 6-14, as 3,448 pounds. Hawker Beechcraft allowed 12 pounds of fuel burn for start, taxi, and takeoff. The airplane's weight at the time of the accident was calculated to be 3,436 pounds. All weights were determined to be with in the center of gravity limits. The ramp weight of the airplane was 3,448 pounds and center of gravity was 81-inches aft of the datum. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The VDF 1522 surface weather observation was: wind 220 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles, 2,800 scattered, 4,800 scattered, broken ceiling at 7,500 feet, temperature 25 degrees Celsius, dew point 24 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting 30.01 inches of mercury. AIRPORT INFORMATION VDF is located at an elevation of 12 feet, 6 miles east of Tampa, Florida. Runway 5 is 5,000 feet long and 150 feet wide with four taxiway intersections. E1 taxiway is located at the departure end of runway 5. E2 taxiway is located 1,300 feet from the departure end of runway 05. E3 taxiway is located 2,900 feet from the departure end of runway 05, and E4 taxiway is located at the departure end of runway 23. The runway glide slope antenna is located 3,461.42 feet from the runway 05 threshold. The distance along the runway to a position on the runway abeam the glide slope antenna is as follows; E1 taxiway is 3,450 feet and E2 taxiway is 2,150 feet. The pilot's takeoff roll start point on the runway was not determined. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane was located adjacent to runway 5 at VDF. Examination of the crash site revealed the propeller and nose gear door of the airplane collided with the top of a 49-foot tall instrument landing system (ILS) glide slope antenna. The antenna was located 212 feet left of the centerline for runway 5 and abeam the precision approach path indicator (PAPI), which was located on the right side of the runway. The antenna was laying flat on the ground in the direction of the flight path of the airplane. Nose landing hardware and the remains of propeller blade tips were located 61 feet 8 inches down the crash debris line (CDL). The airplane right wing contacted the ground 254 feet down the CDL. The airplane nose contacted the ground 265 feet down the CDL. The propeller assembly separated and was located 295 feet down the CDL. A separated outer right wing panel with a radar fairing was located 350 feet down the CDL. The airplane came to rest o ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36CL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36CL-2009-05-28), registration cancelled 2009-05-28, S/N E-1980, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A-36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-1980 - Airframe hours: 6225.9 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harlan Northcott - Registered owner: H.E. Northcott - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2008 - Departed: VDF, Tampa, FL - Destination: SUA, Stuart, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: VDF, Vandenberg Airport, runway 05, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,010 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: VDF ## 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 20080717855169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080717855169A), Jul 17, 2008: Beech A36, Tampa, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. (-23) On July 17, 2007, at approximately 1530 EDT, a Beech aircraft, model A36, N36CL, serial #E-1980, was totally destroyed after striking a navaid (ils-gs)… ## Docket (36 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2008, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68457. 24.2 MB in all. - Supplement A (item 1, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297541&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20A-Master.PDF - Supplement B (item 2, .PDF, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297542&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20B-Master.PDF - Supplement S (item 3, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - Statements (item 4, .PDF, 397 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statements-Master.PDF - FAA Controller Statement (item 5, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Controller%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Transcript (item 6, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript-Master.PDF - Lockheed Martin Transcript (item 7, .PDF, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40298104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Lockheed%20Martin%20Transcript-Master.PDF - Extract IFR Flight Plan (item 8, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40298105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20IFR%20Flight%20Plan-Redacted.PDF - Vandenberg Airport Authority Report (item 9, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Vandenberg%20Airport%20Authority%20Report-Master.PDF - Hillsborough County Sheriffs Report (item 10, .PDF, 292 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Hillsborough%20County%20Sheriffs%20Report-Master.PDF - Extract Pilot Last Logbook 1995 to 2001 (item 11, .PDF, 478 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Pilot%20Last%20Logbook%201995%20to%202001-Redacted.PDF - Extract N36CL Trip Report (item 12, .PDF, 628 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311280&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20N36CL%20Trip%20Report-Master.PDF - Wreckage Diagram (item 13, .PDF, 466 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Summary of Airframe and Engine Examination (item 14, .PDF, 363 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination-Master.PDF - Fuel Receipt (item 15, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Receipt-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Insurance Renewal Application (item 16, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Insurance%20Renewal%20Application-Master.PDF - Bonanza Recurrent Course (item 17, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bonanza%20Recurrent%20Course-Redacted.PDF - Weight and Balance (item 18, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weight%20and%20Balance-Master.PDF - Section V Take Off Distance (item 19, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Section%20V%20Take%20Off%20Distance-Master.PDF - Extract Airplane Logbooks (item 20, .PDF, 8.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Airplane%20Logbooks-Master.PDF - Angel Flight Documentation (item 21, .PDF, 465 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40303434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Angel%20Flight%20Documentation-Redacted.PDF - Toxicology Report (item 22, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicology%20Report-Master.PDF - Parties To NTSB Investigation (item 23, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Parties%20To%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Wreckage Release (item 24, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release-Redacted.PDF - Additional NTSB Wreckage Release (item 25, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311631&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Aerial view of crash site looking down the crash debris line towards runway 5. Photo Hillsbourogh Sheriffs Dept (item 26, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Aerial%20view%20of%20crash%20site%20looking%20down%20the%20crash%20debris%20line%20towards%20runway%205.%20Photo%20Hillsbourogh%20Sheriffs%20Dept-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Aerial photo of crash site looking back to ILS antenna. Photo Hillsborough Sheriffs Dept (item 27, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Aerial%20photo%20of%20crash%20site%20looking%20back%20to%20ILS%20antenna.%20Photo%20Hillsborough%20Sheriffs%20Dept-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Aerial view of the ILS anntena looking back towards the left side of runway 5. Photo Hillsborough Sheriffs Dept (item 28, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Aerial%20view%20of%20%20the%20ILS%20anntena%20looking%20back%20towards%20the%20left%20side%20of%20runway%205.%20Photo%20Hillsborough%20Sheriffs%20Dept-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - View of ILS antenna with propeller pieces that were located near the antenna. Photo NTSB (item 29, .PDF, 917 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20View%20of%20ILS%20antenna%20with%20propeller%20pieces%20that%20were%20located%20near%20the%20antenna.%20Photo%20NTSB-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - View of right wing impact with ground with separated propeller and main wreckage in the background. Photo NTSB (item 30, .PDF, 891 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297567&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20View%20of%20right%20wing%20impact%20with%20ground%20with%20separated%20propeller%20and%20main%20wreckage%20in%20the%20background.%20Photo%20NTSB-Master.PDF - Photo 6 - View of right wing impact with ground with separated propeller and main wreckage in the background. Photo NTSB.JPG (item 31, .PDF, 873 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297568&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20-%20%20View%20of%20right%20wing%20impact%20with%20ground%20with%20separated%20propeller%20and%20main%20wreckage%20in%20the%20background.%20Photo%20NTSB.JPG-Master.PDF - Photo 7 - Close up view of cabin area. Photo NTSB (item 32, .PDF, 876 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%20-%20Close%20up%20view%20of%20cabin%20area.%20Photo%20NTSB-Master.PDF - Photo 8 - Rear view of airplane. Photo NTSB (item 33, .PDF, 763 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208%20-%20Rear%20view%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%20NTSB-Master.PDF - Photo 9 - View of engine before partial disassembly. Photo NTSB (item 34, .PDF, 799 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209%20-%20View%20of%20engine%20before%20partial%20disassembly.%20Photo%20NTSB-Master.PDF - Photo 10 - View of separated propeller with propeller pieces (item 35, .PDF, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010%20-%20View%20of%20separated%20propeller%20with%20propeller%20pieces-Master.PDF - Medical Records Information (item 36, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Medical%20Records%20Information-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. 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