NYC84FA059

NTSB accident investigation · Beech A36 · Montoursville, PA · December 25, 1983

Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal report
Date
December 24, 1983, 21:53 local (Dec 25, 1983, 02:53 UTC)
Place
Montoursville, PA
Injuries
3 serious, 1 minor
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N66846Beech A36
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19831224075159A
Case key
35308

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectApproach
Door,passenger - openFactor
Precautionary landing - performedPilot in commandFactor
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Flight compartment light(s) - engagedFactor
Visual lookout - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Visual/aural detectionPilot in commandFactor
Altitude - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Airspeed - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Object - tree(s)

Analysis

During takeoff roll the overhead courtsey light flickered. As the acft lifted off the right front cabin door opened & the light remained on. The plt advised the tower he would be returning to land & entered a right downwind leg for rwy 27AT 500 ft AGL. The plt stated the interior of the acft became very noisy & cold so he elected to fly the downwind leg atabout 500 AGL to reduce the time of exposure to the elements. The ability to see the arpt was reduced on the right base as the plt had to look directly into the white overhead courtesy light. When the plt was able to see the arpt he was notin a position for a normal landing so he initiated a left turn to intercept the rwy 27 final approach path. The acft lost altitude rapidly & the tower issued two altitude warnings prior to the acft striking trees. The acft was destroyed by fire.

Aircraft

Registration
N66846
Reported as
Beech A36
Category
Airplane
Serial number
E-1664
Airframe hours
900
Engine
Continental I0-520-BB, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Leo R. Landhuis
Registered owner
Leo R. Landhuis
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Destination
ROC · Rochester, NY
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
IPT · Williamsport, runway 27, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
48
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
700 total · 100 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Wind
270° at 22 knots, gusting 28
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
3,800 ft broken
Temperature
1 °F, dew point -0 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
IPT, 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.