# NTSB NYC89LA027: Beech A36, N722BH, Montauk, NY, November 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1988, 16:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Montauk, NY
- Coordinates: 41.04084, -71.939346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0408&lon=-71.9393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA027

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL, INFLIGHT, WHILE LANDING, DUE TO LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, circling (ifr)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A VOR RWY 6 APCH & CIRCLED TO LAND ON RWY 24. HE RPRTD THAT WHILE ON A SHORT FINAL APCH, THE ACFT WAS THROWN VIOLENTLY ABOUT & THE LEFT WING DIPPED. HE APPLIED FULL POWER & LEVELED THE WINGS, BUT THE ACFT CONTD TO DESCEND. REALIZING HE COULD NOT REACH THE RWY, HE 'CUT' THE POWER, TURNED OFF THE ELECTRICAL MASTER SWITCHES & TRIED TO PLACE THE ACFT ON THE BEST TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED IN AN AREA OF SAND DUNES ON A HDG OF 240 DEG & CAME TO REST AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 33 FT. WITNESSES IN THE AREA RPRTD STRONG WINDS, REDUCED VISIBILITY, & RAIN SHOWERS. THE PLT SAID IT WAS NOT RAINING WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED, BUT HEAVY RAIN STARTED TO FALL IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N722BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N722BH-1991-06-25), registration cancelled 1991-06-25, S/N E444 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E444
- Airframe hours: 2950
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fairview Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: BTV, BURLINGTON, VT
- Destination: MTP
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MTP, Montauk, runway 24, 3,472 × 85 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,047 total, 750 in this make and model, 1,047 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FOK, 35 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 19881113050429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881113050429A), Nov 13, 1988: Beech A36, Montauk, NY, Substantial damage. Too low and slow in severe turbulence and heavy rain,landed in area of sand dunes half mile from the runway.

## Other investigations on N722BH (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC81FHJ19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FHJ19), Sep 24, 1981: Beech A36 (N722BH), White Plains, NY, substantial damage

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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