# NTSB MIA95LA221: Beech 77, N6721D, Hendersonville, NC, September 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1995, 15:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Hendersonville, NC
- Location: 35.3243° N, 82.4563° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hendersonville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3243&lon=-82.4563&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA221

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PERFORM PREFLIGHT WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT LIMITATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT COMPUTE THE AIRPLANE WEIGHT AND BALANCE NOR DO ANY PREFLIGHT PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS. ON TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE NOR CLIMB. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO TREES AND THE GROUND. POSTACCIDENT CALCULATIONS REVEALED THE AIRPLANE WAS 260 POUNDS OVER MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT LIMITATIONS.

## Factual narrative

On September 13, 1995, about 1555 eastern daylight time, N6721D, a Beech BE-77 crashed on takeoff from the Hendersonville Airport, Hendersonville, North Carolina, on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at time and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated  both he and the passenger and the cargo on the airplane may have placed the airplane over the gross weight limitation of the airplane. After liftoff the airplane would not climb, and crashed into trees off the end of the runway and came to rest between two residences. Subsequent computation of the airplane weight and balance revealed the airplane was 260 pounds over maximum gross weight at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6721D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6721D-1995-11-29), registration cancelled 1995-11-29, S/N WA84 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 77
- Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: WA-84
- Airframe hours: 6130
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William R. Ledbetter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1995, 33 hours before
- Departed: OA7
- Destination: 5N4, LINCOLNTOWN, NC
- Airport: OA7, Hendersonville, runway 14, 3,075 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,027 total, 234 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 35 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 19950913029659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950913029659A), Sep 13, 1995: Beech 77, Hendersonville, NC, Substantial damage. Failed check weight balance or 77 ops specs. Unable speed up or climb on takeoff. Struck trees. Over gross 260LBS.

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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