# NTSB WPR09CA387: Beech 35, N4577V, St. Johns, AZ, August 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 5, 2009, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: St. Johns, AZ - Coordinates: 34.518611, -109.37889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5186&lon=-109.3789&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74467 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA387 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74467/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74467 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA387 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the crosswind gust and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the gusty crosswind weather conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151502), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1151502), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1151502), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1151502), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 35, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151502), [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. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151502), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech 35, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151502), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight made a fuel stop on a cross-country flight. The pilot reported a left quartering headwind during the takeoff. He applied the proper crosswind control inputs and immediately after liftoff aligned the airplane into the wind to maintain a ground track over the runway centerline. The pilot said a wind gust from the left affected the airplane, resulting in the left wing rising and the airplane banking to the right. Subsequently, the right wing, the empennage, and the right main landing gear touched down and the airplane exited the runway to the right. The airplane continued down an embankment, impacting a chain link airport perimeter fence. The airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to left and right wings, the left landing gear assembly, fuselage, and empennage. The on-field weather station recorded the wind at the time of departure as 50 degrees left of the runway heading at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. ## Factual narrative After making a fuel stop on a cross-country flight, the pilot reported a left quartering headwind during the takeoff. He applied the proper crosswind control inputs and immediately after liftoff aligned the airplane into the wind to maintain a ground track over the runway centerline. The pilot reported a wind gust from the left impacted the airplane resulting in the left wing rising and the airplane banking to the right. Subsequently, the right wing, the empennage, and the right main landing gear touched down resulting in the airplane exiting the runway to the right. The airplane continued down an embankment impacting a chain link airport perimeter fence. The airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to left and right wings, the left landing gear assembly, fuselage, and empennage. The on-field weather station recorded the wind at the time of departure as 50 degrees left of the runway heading at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4577V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4577V-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N D-952, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 35 - Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-952 - Airframe hours: 5649 - Engines: CONT MOTOR E225 SERIES 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mccollum James Harold - Registered owner: Mccollum James Harold - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 2008, 44 hours before - Departed: KSJN, St. Johns, AZ - Destination: KSEE, El Cajon, CA - Airport: SJN, St. Johns Industrial Airpark, runway 32, 5,322 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 2,523 total, 2,321 in this make and model, 2,416 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KSJN ## 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 20090805016979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090805016979A), Aug 5, 2009: Beech 35BEECH, St Johns, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] was PIC and the only occupant of the aircraft at the time of the accident. He stated that during the takeoff roll he applied… ## Other investigations on N4577V (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 CHI71FDW30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FDW30), Jan 8, 1971: Beech 35 (N4577V), Morrice, MI, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74467. 567 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 567 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.