# NTSB MIA94LA135: Beech A35, N620B, St. Petersburg, FL, May 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1994, 20:32 local (May 10, 1994, 00:32 UTC)
- Place: St. Petersburg, FL
- Location: 27.7709° N, 82.6793° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. Petersburg, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7709&lon=-82.6793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA135

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND PROPER GLIDEPATH RESULTING IN THE IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT PROPERTY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE TOWER CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PILOT THAT THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED.  THE PILOT CYCLED THE LANDING GEAR BUT THE NOSE LANDING GEAR REMAINED PARTIALLY EXTENDED. THE FLIGHT RETURNED FOR LANDING AND WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT PERFORMED A GO-AROUND. DURING THE SECOND APPROACH THE AIRSPEED GOT SLOW AND THE PILOT 'ATTEMPTED TO APPLY FULL POWER BUT IT WAS TOO LATE' AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On May 9, 1994, about 2032 eastern daylight time, a Beech A35, N620B, registered to James Epperson, collided with trees while returning to land shortly after takeoff from the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured.  The flight originated about 2015.

After takeoff the ATC controller advised the pilot that the nose landing gear was not retracted.  The pilot cycled the landing gear but the nose landing gear was partially extended.  The pilot flew past the tower and the controller advised him that the nose landing gear was partially extended.  The pilot requested a landing clearance which was granted and performed a go-around while on final approach.  While on final approach again the pilot stated that he applied full throttle too late.  The airplane collided with trees about 15 feet outside of the airport perimeter fence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N620B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N620B-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N D-1643, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A35
- Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-1643
- Airframe hours: 4889
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Epperson, James M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1994, 66 hours before
- Destination: AUO, AUBURN, AL
- Airport: PIE, St Petersburg-Clearwater

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,902 total, 513 in this make and model, 2,818 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 1 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 19940509010399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940509010399A), May 9, 1994: Beech A35, St Petersburg-C, FL, Substantial damage. Unable extend nose gear for landing. Distracted by emergency. Struck trees short of runway.

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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