# NTSB WPR09CA003: Beech 76, N6013X, Eloy, AZ, October 4, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2008, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Eloy, AZ - Coordinates: 32.571109, -111.726112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5711&lon=-111.7261&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69225 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69225/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA003 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing to the accident were the crosswind wind conditions and terrain induced turbulence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Turbulence: terrain induced turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 76, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Beech 76, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 76, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the pilot began flaring for landing at a private airstrip, the airplane encountered sudden turbulence and immediately rolled to the right. Despite the pilot’s attempt to counteract the roll and abort the landing, the right wing struck the surface of runway 24 and the airplane began to cartwheel. The airplane came to rest upright adjacent to the runway. The pilot noted that at the time of the accident the wind was from 210 degrees at 20 knots. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that both wings were structurally damaged. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine, airframe, and flight control system at the time of the accident. The owner of the private airstrip stated that due to the location of a residential structure, it is common to experience turbulence near the approach end of runway 24 during high wind conditions. ## Factual narrative As the pilot began flaring for landing at a private airstrip, the airplane encountered sudden turbulence and immediately rolled to the right. Despite the pilot’s attempt to counteract the roll and abort the landing, the right wing struck the surface of runway 24 and the airplane began to cartwheel. The airplane came to rest upright adjacent to the runway. The pilot noted that at the time of the accident the wind was from 210 degrees at 20 knots. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that both wings were structurally damaged. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine, airframe, and flight control system at the time of the accident. The owner of the private airstrip stated that due to the location of a residential structure, it is common to experience turbulence near the approach end of runway 24 during high wind conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6013X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6013X-2009-07-28), registration cancelled 2009-07-28, S/N ME-113, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 76 - Registry model: [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76) (registry code 1153005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: ME-113 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: PVT, Eloy, AZ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: None, Private, runway 24, 2,500 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 792 total, 25 in this make and model, 59 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 20 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 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 20081004850179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081004850179A), Oct 4, 2008: Beech 76, Eloy, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot encountered turbulence near the ground causing him to lose control while making a short field landing at a private airport. 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.