# NTSB NYC93LA144: Beech A55, N30JM, Norfolk, VA, August 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1993, 16:32 local (20:32 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, VA
- Coordinates: 36.910625, -76.329277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9106&lon=-76.3293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA144

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPESNATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING THE WINDS PROVIDED TO HIM BY THE CONTROL TOWER WERE 'DOWN THE RUNWAY AT SEVENTEEN KNOTS.'  HE USED FULL FLAPS DURING THE APPROACH TO RUNWAY 23.  HE SAID THAT THE ATIS REPORTED WINDS FROM 270 DEGREES, GUSTING TO 22 KNOTS.  DURING THE TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO DRIFT LEFT AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On Tuesday, August 3, 1993, at 1632 eastern daylight time, a Beech A55, N30JM, registered to Baron, Ltd., and piloted by Clarence H. Byler, sustained substantial damage during a landing at the Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk, Virginia.  The pilot, the safety pilot and the passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot was conducting a landing on runway 23.  He stated that the wind was reported from the tower as "down the runway at seventeen knots."  During the approach he elected to use full flaps.  He stated that there was a spacing problem with a commercial airplane landing behind him, and he was asked to expedite his approach.  After touchdown, the airplane began to swerve to the left and the nose gear collapsed.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with the soft terrain.

The pilot stated that the Airport Terminal Information Service (ATIS) reported the winds from 270 degrees with gusts to 22 knots.  The local weather sequence, recorded 13 minutes after the accident, reported the winds from 210 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 23 knots.

Mr. E. E. Roberts, Operations Safety Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, conducted an on-site examination of the wreckage and an interview with the pilot.  In his report, Mr. Roberts stated:

The pilot reported that he experienced windshear           as he was touching down which caused a sideload on           the nose gear.  The nose gear collapsed and the           aircraft veered off the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30JM-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N TC-277, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-A55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-a55) (registry code 1152704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-277
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clarence H. Byler
- Registered owner: Baron, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1992
- Departed: MCN, MACON, GA
- Destination: ORF
- Airport: ORF, Norfolk International, runway 23, 9,000 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF

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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