# NTSB NYC89LA162: Beech F33A, N961WW, Waterville, ME, July 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1989, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Waterville, ME
- Location: 44.5333° N, 69.6755° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WATERVILLE RGNL (WVL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5333&lon=-69.6755&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36436
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36436/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF NOTAMS AND THE EXCESSIVE LANDING SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A LONG LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - notams - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE ENTERED DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 05. ON FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE STARTED DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT AND HE CORRECTED WITH POWER. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON WET PAVEMENT; BRAKES WERE INEFFECTIVE. THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO BROKEN RUNWAY PAVEMENT AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 10 TO 15 MILES PER HOUR. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED NOTAMS THAT 2700 FEET OF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 05 WAS CLOSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N961WW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N961WW), registered now, S/N CE316, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE-316
- Airframe hours: 1370
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Sommers
- Registered owner: Geoff Rob, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1989, 18 hours before
- Departed: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL
- Destination: WVL, WATERVILLE, ME
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: WVL, Robert Lafleur, runway 5, 5,511 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 617 total, 243 in this make and model, 416 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 5 statute miles

## 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 19890713025269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890713025269A), Jul 13, 1989: Beech F33A, Waterville, ME, Substantial damage. Overshot open area off partially closed runway into area of broken concrete. NOTAMS given on runway.

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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