# NTSB SEA89LA031: Beech 99A, N4954W, Spokane, WA, December 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1988, 06:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Spokane, WA
- Location: 47.6588° N, 117.4260° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Spokane, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6588&lon=-117.4260&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA031

## Analysis

ACFT WAS LEFT OVERNIGHT IN HEAVY PRECIP. PLT FAILED TO ENSURE FUSELAGE DRAINS WERE CLEAR AND WATER ACCUMULATION DRAINED BEFORE DEPARTING INTO BELOW FREEZING FLIGHT TEMPS. ON LNDG AT DEST, PLT UNABLE TO ACHIEVE FLARE, RESULTING IN HARD LNDG. INVESTIGATION REVEALED ELEVATOR CABLES AND PULLEYS FROZEN IN SOLID BLOCK OF ICE AT FUSELAGE LOW POINT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flt control syst,elevator control - frozen (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not possible

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4954W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4954W-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N U82 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 99A
- Registry model: [Beech 99A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-99a) (registry code 1154003) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U-82
- Airframe hours: 22113
- Engines: P&W PT6A-27 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Methow Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Methow Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 15, 1988, 19 hours before
- Departed: PDX, PORTLAND, OR
- Destination: GEG
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GAG, Spokane Int'L, runway 21, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,512 total, 618 in this make and model, 99 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 50° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GEG

## 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 19881224056119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881224056119A), Dec 24, 1988: Beech 99A, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. Made hard landing causing substantial damage. Was unable to raise nose for flare. Elevator cables and pulleys iced.

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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