# NTSB NYC98LA052: Beech BE-33A, N4133S, Lancaster, PA, December 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 24, 1997, 09:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, PA - Coordinates: 40.029315, -76.329391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0293&lon=-76.3294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39521 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39521/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA052 ## Probable cause Passenger control interference which resulted in pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - control interference - intentional, passenger (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis During the landing flare the stall warning horn activated. The pilot added a small of power and lowered the nose slightly when the passenger in the right seat grabbed the controls and overpowered her. The airplane pitched up, went wing over to the left and impacted the runway. ## Factual narrative On December 24, 1997, about 0955 eastern standard time, a Beech 33A, N4133S, was substantially damaged during landing at the Lancaster Airport (LNS), Lancaster Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received minor injures, and the pilot rated passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Michael J. Smith Field Airport, Beaufort, North Carolina, about 0740. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated the flight was normal and routine until 2 feet above runway 08, when the stall warning horn activated. The pilot said she added a small amount of power, and lowered the nose slightly when the passenger in the right seat grabbed the controls and over powered her. The airplane then pitched up and stalled to the left. The left wing and nose impacted the ground, and the airplane slid onto runway 31. The pilot also stated that she did not experience any mechanical malfunctions prior to the time when the passenger grabbed the controls. The LNS Air Traffic Controller witnessed the accident. In a written statement he stated: "...Bonanza 4133S came in IFR, visual to runway 8, pilot made a normal approach. In landing flare, bounced and went vertical, then dropped off on the left wing, impacting runway 31 nose first, then fell back onto its belly..." In a telephone interview, a witness who observed the airplane on approach stated the plane was in a wings level attitude, when it suddenly pitched up, then went "wing over" to the left. On scene examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not disclosed any evidence of pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4133S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4133S-2023-08-07), registration cancelled 2023-08-07, S/N CE-591, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech BE-33A - 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: CE591 - Airframe hours: 1540 - Engines: Continental IO520BA 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert B. Huber - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1997, 19 hours before - Departed: MRH, BEAUFORT, NC - Destination: LNS - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LNS, Lancaster, runway 8, 5,398 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,023 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,023 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 4° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LNS ## 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 19971224039439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971224039439A), Dec 24, 1997: Beech F33A, Lancaster, PA, Substantial damage. Passenger pilot thot hard landing eminent. Yanked yoke aft. Stalled fell to left wing nose hit. Folded right gear. (.4)during the landing flare the stall… ## Other investigations on N4133S (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 WPR22LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA314), Aug 21, 2022: Beech F33A (N4133S), Wilder, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: Catastrophic engine failure during the initial climb due to an incorrectly installed crankshaft counterweight retaining ring. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.