# NTSB NYC08CA122: Beech B-55, N4265S, Brookhaven, MS, February 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 28, 2008, 13:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Brookhaven, MS - Coordinates: 31.605833, -90.409164 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6058&lon=-90.4092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67615 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67615/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA122 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing during the first attempt, and subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear during the second landing attempt. Contributing to the accident was the wind gusts. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the Beech 55 reported that he encountered light wind gusts during an approach to runway 22. He completed his pre-landing checklist, deployed full flaps, extended the landing gear, and noted that all three landing gear indicator lights were green. Just prior to touchdown the airplane encountered a wind gust that caused it to bank 60 degrees. The pilot leveled the airplane just prior to landing on all three wheels, but the airplane did not "stick." He applied full power and aborted the landing. During the second approach, the pilot deployed half flaps and extended the landing gear. He noted that the gusts had subsided and that the approach was more stable. Prior to landing, he confirmed that all three landing gear indicator lights were green. The pilot landed the airplane, but as the nose wheel contacted the runway, the front of the airplane began to shake violently, and the nose gear collapsed. A witness observed both landings, and stated that on the first attempt the airplane landed "hard." The airplane sustained substantial damage including wrinkles in the fuselage skin aft of the main cabin door. The reported wind, at an airport about 25 miles south of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 190 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Beech 55 reported that he encountered light wind gusts during an approach to runway 22. He completed his pre-landing checklist, deployed full flaps, extended the landing gear, and noted that all three landing gear indicator lights were green. Just prior to touchdown the airplane encountered a wind gust that caused it to bank 60 degrees. The pilot leveled the airplane just prior to landing on all three wheels, but the airplane did not "stick." He applied full power and aborted the landing. During the second approach, the pilot deployed half flaps and extended the landing gear. He noted that the gusts had subsided and that the approach was more stable. Prior to landing, he confirmed that all three landing gear indicator lights were green. The pilot landed the airplane, but as the nose wheel contacted the runway, the front of the airplane began to shake violently, and the nose gear collapsed. A witness observed both landings, and stated that on the first attempt the airplane landed "hard." The airplane sustained substantial damage including wrinkles in the fuselage skin aft of the main cabin door. The reported wind, at an airport about 25 miles south of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 190 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4265S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4265S-2023-01-06), registration cancelled 2023-01-06, S/N TC-2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech B-55 - Registry model: [Beech B-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-55) (registry code 1152729) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-470-L](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-l) (registry code 17348, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-2016 - Airframe hours: 3014 - Engines: Continental IO470L 260 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-470L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jesse L Beeson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2007, 320 hours before - Departed: 66Y, Diamondhead, MS - Destination: 1R7, BROOKHAVEN, MS - Airport: 1R7, Brookhaven-Lincoln County, runway 22, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 3,395 total, 1,897 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: MCB, 26 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 20080228836199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080228836199A), Feb 28, 2008: Beech 95B55, Brookhaven, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Due to excessive sink rate aircraft contacted runway hard and pilot initiated go-around. Runway contact resulted in blown nose tire. Second touchdown… 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.