NYC84FA165

NTSB accident investigation · Beech B19 · College Park, MD · May 8, 1984

Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal report
Date
May 8, 1984, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
Place
College Park, MD
Injuries
2 serious
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N18786Beech B19
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
Case key
35341

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

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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.

Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - initial climb
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandFactor
Self-induced pressurePilot in commandFactor
Hazardous weather advisory - not receivedPilot in commandFactor
Weather condition - thunderstormFactor
Weather condition - high windFactor
Weather condition - gustsFactor
Weather condition - tailwindFactor
Wind information - inattentivePilot in commandCause
Wrong runway - selectedPilot in commandCause
Aircraft performance,climb capability - deterioratedCause
Proper climb rate - not attainedPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with objectTakeoff - initial climb
Object - tree(s)
Object - fence

Analysis

The flt had arrived at the arpt between 1600 & 1615, & had landed on rwy 15. Winds generally were out of the sw at ABOUT10 KTS. The plt stated that during the flt he had observed a thunderstorm west of andrews afb (10 mi south.) After loading an ATC simulator & its accessories on board the acft, the plt taxied to the displaced threshold on the approach end of rwy 15. During this period, anemogram readings recorded by the univ of MD show that there was a sudden shift to winds out of the nw with gusts to 40 KTS. The plt commented that he wanted to beat the storm. Witnesses reported that the wind was between 300 & 330 degs with winds in excess of 20 KTS. One plt tried to warn the plt by waving his arms to call his attention to the wind conditions. The acft took off in a nose high attitude. The plt stated he maintained 75 KTS at max power but the acft continued to descend at about a 200 fpm descent until it impacted trees & fences of a tennis court. A 24 kt tailwind component can increase takeoff distances by as much as 80%.

Aircraft

Registration
N18786
Reported as
Beech B19
Category
Airplane
Serial number
MB-850
Engine
Lycoming O-320-E2, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
James L. Webb
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · May 2, 1984
Departed
CGS · College Park, MD
Destination
CGE · Cambridge, MD
Airport
CGS · College Park, runway 15, 2,740 × 40 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
51
Certificates
Airline transport, Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine sea, Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
6,450 total · 345 in this make and model · 6,150 as pilot in command

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
300° at 28 knots, gusting 52
Visibility
5 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
2,800 ft broken
Temperature
70 °F, dew point 57 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
DCA, 11 nm away