# NTSB SEA99LA169: Beech J-35, N7299B, Union, OR, September 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1999, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Union, OR - Coordinates: 45.149963, -117.769699 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1500&lon=-117.7697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47561 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47561/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA169 ## Probable cause Directional control not maintained. A rough/uneven landing area was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was landing the aircraft on a remote grass runway. Shortly after touch down, the aircraft rolled over a rut, and the airplane veered to the right of the runway. The pilot stated that he was unable to correct the situation and the aircraft continued off the runway, subsequently separating the nose gear. The aircraft came to rest in a sloping grassy area adjacent to the landing runway. No evidence was found to indicate a mechanical malfunction or failure with the aircraft that contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1999, approximately 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Beech J-35, N7299B, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14CFR91 personal/pleasure flight, was substantially damaged while landing at Red's Wallowa airstrip, located 15 nautical miles northeast of Union, Oregon. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Walla Walla Regional Airport, Walla Walla, Washington, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported that shortly after touchdown, during the landing roll, the aircraft "hit a ditch or a hole which changed our roll direction to the right into the high grass." He stated that due to high vegetation and rough terrain, he was unable to correct the situation and the aircraft traveled down a grassy slope adjacent to the runway. After encountering the rough terrain, the aircraft's nose gear separated and the forward section of the fuselage impacted the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A pilot rated witness stated that the accident aircraft touched down to the right side (west) of the airstrip and proceeded down the embankment adjacent to the landing area. The pilot reported that a mechanic, who looked at the aircraft after the accident, stated that the nose gear broke off on a weld, and it appeared that the weld was flawed. The landing gear assembly was shipped to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC, for further examination. The specialist reported that the fractures were indicative of overstress and there was no evidence of preexisting cracks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7299B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7299B-2012-10-12), registration cancelled 2012-10-12, S/N D-5663, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech J-35 - Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-5663 - Airframe hours: 4391 - Engines: Continental IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert S. Graves - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1999, 20 hours before - Departed: ALW, WALLA WALLA, WA - Airport: Red'S Wallowa, runway 22, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,750 total, 2,750 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19990901047139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990901047139A), Sep 1, 1999: Beech J35, Union, OR, Substantial damage. (.4)The commercial pilot was landing the aircraft on a remote grass runway. Shortly after touch down, the aircraft rolled over a rut, and the airplane veered… 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.