# NTSB WPR09CA466: Beech A23-19, N7944L, Tehachapi, CA, September 26, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 26, 2009, 08:09 local (15:09 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.134998, -118.439163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1350&lon=-118.4392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74808 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA466 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74808/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74808 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA466 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain an established approach path while on final approach resulting in an improper flare and bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23-19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1151212), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23-19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1151212), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23-19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1151212), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23-19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151212), [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: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A23-19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=1151212), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Beech A23-19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1151212), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Beech A23-19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151212), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech A23-19, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151212), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he overshot his turn to final and had to bank hard left to align with the center of the runway; as a result he was off to the extreme left side of the runway. He banked hard right to correct, and landed hard on the left edge of the runway. The airplane bounced and landed on the right side of the runway. The pilot stated that he added power in an attempt to salvage the landing; however, the airplane departed the runway, impacted a chain link fence, and came to rest nose down. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine experienced no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he overshot his turn to final and had to bank hard left to align with the center of the runway; as a result he was off to the extreme left side of the runway. He banked hard right to correct, and landed hard on the left edge of the runway. The airplane bounced and landed on the right side of the runway. The pilot stated that he added power in an attempt to salvage the landing; however, the airplane departed the runway, impacted a chain link fence, and came to rest nose down. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine experienced no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7944L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7944L-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N MB-143, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A23-19 - Registry model: [Beech A23-19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-19) (registry code 1151212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MB 143 - Airframe hours: 3417 - Engines: Lycoming O320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fly'n Oma's Aviation - Registered owner: Lois J. Hewitt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 29, 2009 - Departed: KAPV, Apple Valley, CA - Destination: KTSP, Tehachapi, CA - Airport: KTSP, Tehachapi Municipal Airport, runway 29, 4,031 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 23 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74808. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 767 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - On scene (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20On%20scene-Master.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319943&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.