# NTSB MKC89LA141: Piper PA-23-250, N6513Y, Bemidji, MN, June 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1989, 16:28 local (21:28 UTC)
- Place: Bemidji, MN
- Coordinates: 47.249359, -91.290039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2494&lon=-91.2900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34816
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34816/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA141

## Probable cause

THE CONTINUED APPROACH AND LANDING BY THE PILOT IN KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DITCH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND, A LINE OF DARK CLOUDS WAS NEXT TO THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RUNWAY 31. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED HEAVY RAIN AND TURBULENCE. INITIALLY, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND, THEN DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE LANDING. DURING THE LANDING, STRONG/GUSTY WINDS WERE ENCOUNTERED AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE ADJACENT GRASS AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT CROSSED A DITCH AND CAME TO REST ON A PUBLIC ROAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6513Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6513Y-2015-08-04), registration cancelled 2015-08-04, S/N 27-3804, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3804
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bemidji Aviation Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bemidji Aviation Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: BJI
- Airport: BJI, Bemidji, runway 31, 6,598 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,550 total, 90 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJI, 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 19890621016809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890621016809A), Jun 21, 1989: Piper PA23250, Bemidji, MN, Substantial damage. Squall line moved over airport with wind shift trying to land. Heavy rain obscured vision. Hit ditch off 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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