# NTSB SEA94LA022: Beech A-35, N575B, Billings, MT, October 30, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 30, 1993, 12:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Billings, MT - Coordinates: 45.759277, -108.570983 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7593&lon=-108.5710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41846 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41846/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA022 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE GO-AROUND. FACTORS INCLUDE PROPER AIRSPEED NOT BEING MAINTAINED, AND GUSTY CROSSWINDS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN GUSTY CROSSWINDS, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO BECOME LOW, AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED A SECOND TIME, THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND. DURING THE GO- AROUND, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. ## Factual narrative On October 30, 1993, at 1250 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Beechcraft A-35, N575B, impacted the terrain during an attempted go-around (VFR) at Billings Logan International Airport, Billings, Montana. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which had departed Columbus Airport, Columbus, Montana, at about 1220 MDT, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, he was attempting to land in a gusty 60 degree crosswind of about 20 knots. While on short final, the aircraft became low on airspeed, landed hard, and bounced back into the air. The aircraft touched down again, and bounced back into the air a second time. At that point, the pilot elected to execute a go-around. During this attempt, he lost directional control of the aircraft, and it impacted the terrain near the side of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N575B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N575B-1999-04-12), registration cancelled 1999-04-12, S/N D-1594 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A-35 - Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D1594 - Airframe hours: 5100 - Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Morledge, Charles C. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1993, 26 hours before - Departed: 6S3, COLUMBUS, MT - Airport: BIL, Logan International, runway 28R, 10,528 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 530 total, 157 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 20 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BIL, 1 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 19931030041179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931030041179A), Oct 30, 1993: Beech A35, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Bounced twice on crosswind landing tried to go around. Lost directional control and impacted terrain. ## Other investigations on N575B (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 ANC98LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA084), Jun 23, 1998: Beech A-35 (N575B), Skagway, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to ensure the rudder pedals were locked in an operable position. 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.