# NTSB NYC01LA183: Beech BE-36, N3680U, Biddeford, ME, July 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 2001, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Biddeford, ME - Coordinates: 43.39722, -70.472221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3972&lon=-70.4722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 52771 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52771/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA183 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in an attempted takeoff with a control column lock installed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - removal of control/gust lock(s) - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot said he performed an engine run-up prior to takeoff without utilizing the airplane's checklist as he normally would. During the takeoff roll, the pilot was not able to pull-back on the control column. The airplane continued down the runway, until it departed the end of the runway and impacted several small trees. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that the control column lock was installed in the control column. The pilot reported 1,300 hours of total flight experience, which included 200 hours in make and model. He was also a certified flight instructor. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 2001, about 1510 eastern daylight time, a Beech BE-36, N3680U, was substantially damaged during takeoff at the Biddeford Municipal Airport (B19), Biddeford, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for the Westchester County Airport, White Plains, New York. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said he performed an engine run-up prior to takeoff without utilizing the airplane's checklist as he normally would. He then taxied to runway 24, a 3,011-foot long, asphalt runway for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, everything appeared normal; however, after obtaining rotation speed, he was not able to pull-back on the control column. The airplane continued down the runway, until it departed the end of the runway and impacted several small trees. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the control column lock was installed in the control column. The pilot reported 1,300 hours of total flight experience, which included 200 hours in make and model. He was also a certified flight instructor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3680U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3680U), registered now, S/N E-1718, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech BE-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-1718 - Airframe hours: 3700 - Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charlotte Flying Club - Registered owner: Air Ventures Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2001, 20 hours before - Departed: B19, Biddeford, ME - Destination: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: B19, Biddeford Muni, runway 24, 3,011 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 1, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: SFM, 13 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 20010722017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010722017699A), Jul 22, 2001: Beech A36, Biddeford, ME, No damage. (-23) Pilot attempted take-off on runway 24 (3011 feet long) with control wheel gust lock installed. As the aircraft reached take-off speed (70 knots), the… 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.