# NTSB MIA98LA180: Robert E. Bean Wittman Tailwind W10, N173RS, Daytona Beach, FL, June 8, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 1998, 08:06 local (12:06 UTC) - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.16996, -81.140869 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1700&lon=-81.1409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38534 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38534/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA180 ## Probable cause The pilot's poorly planned approach for not planning the intended touchdown point farther down the runway to avoid an area of known turbulence caused by terrain. Contributing to the accident was the turbulence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - turbulence,terrain induced (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot stated that the approach to the runway, known to have turbulence during windy conditions as experienced, was normal. While on short final with 1/2 flaps extended, the airplane began an uncommanded descent, then touched down about 60 feet past the runway threshold. The main landing gear collapsed and the propeller contacted the runway. The pilot then applied power but damage to the propeller had occurred. The airplane then veered off the runway and came to rest upright. The pilot further stated that there was no engine or airframe failure or malfunction, and due to the known turbulence she should have planned to land farther down the runway. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 1998, about 0806 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Wittman Tailwind W10, N173RS, registered to a private individual, experienced collapse of the main landing gear and collision with bushes during landing at the Spruce Creek Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 15 minutes earlier. The pilot stated that the airspeed on final approach was normal, and during short final with 1/2 flaps extended, the airplane descended rapidly and touched down collapsing the main landing gear and damaging the propeller. The airplane bounced and she applied power but the propeller had been damaged. Then, while airborne, the airplane collided with bushes off the left side of the runway. She further stated that there was no engine or airframe preimpact failure or malfunction and she had known about turbulence created by the wind and trees on the approach end of the runway. When responding in writing to how could this accident have been prevented she wrote, "extend landing point further down the runway-avoiding area known to have gust area." According to the airport manager who examined the airplane and runway, the first point of impact on the runway was noted to be about 60 feet past the threshold. The airplane came to rest at a point about 150 feet past the runway threshold as measured down the runway centerline. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N173RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N173RS-2001-03-16), registration cancelled 2001-03-16, S/N 001032028RS (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robert E. Bean WITTMAN TAILWIND W10 (WITTMAN TA) - Registry model: [Bean Robert E WITTMAN TAILWIND W10](https://openairdocs.org/model/bean-robert-e-wittman-tailwind-w10) (registry code 05605S6) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001032028RS - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sarah L. Bean - Registered owner: Robert Bean - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 44J - Airport: 44J, Spruce Creek, runway 5, 3,200 × 180 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 257 total, 27 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 6 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 19980608012599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980608012599A), Jun 8, 1998: Amtr TAILWIND10, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Unchecked high sink on final caused hard impact and collapse of main gear. (-23) pilot completed two landings at Spruce Creek. On the third landing, the… ## Other investigations on N173RS (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA99LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA124), Apr 12, 1999: Bean Whitman W-10 (N173RS), Wimauma, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout during a forced landing resulting in an in-flight collision with a ditch and subsequent nose over. 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.