# NTSB WPR10CA175: Beech 23, N2325Z, Twenty Nine Palms, CA, March 21, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 21, 2010, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Twenty Nine Palms, CA - Coordinates: 34.126388, -115.942779 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1264&lon=-115.9428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75578 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75578/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75578 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA175 ## Probable cause The pilot's encounter with a wind shear/downdraft that exceeded the climb performance capabilities of the airplane during initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 23, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, after rotating and obtaining the best angle of climb airspeed, the airplane began descending "as if it had lost lift or something was pushing it down." The pilot said that the airspeed was still at best angle of climb airspeed but the airplane was descending. As impact with terrain was assured, the pilot set up for a forced landing. The airplane subsequently impacted rising terrain about 150 to 200 feet from the departure end of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to its right wing. The pilot reported that winds were variable at 6 knots, with gusts to 15 knots, and added that he felt the accident was the direct result of wind shear and could not have been prevented or detected. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, after rotating and obtaining the best angle of climb airspeed, the airplane began descending "as if it had lost lift or something was pushing it down." The pilot said the airspeed was still at best angle of climb airspeed but the airplane was descending. As impact with terrain was assured, the pilot set up for a forced landing. The airplane subsequently impacted rising terrain about 150 to 200 feet from the departure end of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to its right wing. The pilot reported that winds were variable at 6 knots, with gusts to 15 knots, and added that he felt the accident was the direct result of wind shear and could not have been prevented or detected. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2325Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2325Z-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N M-24, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 23 - Registry model: [Beech 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-23) (registry code 1151202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-24 - Airframe hours: 2272 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 2010, 55 hours before - Departed: Twenty Nine Palms, CA - Destination: CNO, Chino, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 16, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 739 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20100321029869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100321029869A), Mar 21, 2010: Beech 23, Twenty Nine Pal, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed immediately after takeoff from dirt strip. Pilot stated the engine was at max power but aircraft would not climb. Aircraft setteled until… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 26, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75578. 393 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 393 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328776&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.