# NTSB WPR10CA400: Beech C23, N9761L, Wenden, AZ, August 13, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 13, 2010, 08:16 local (15:16 UTC)
- Place: Wenden, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.233333, -113.488334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2333&lon=-113.4883&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA400
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76957/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76957
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA400

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate bounced landing recovery and failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech C23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md)
- [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 C23, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Beech C23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151242), [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 C23, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Beech C23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that just after touchdown the airplane bounced and veered to the right. The pilot applied full power and attempted a go-around; however, the airplane exited the runway environment and struck a pole. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over substantially damaging the firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that just after touchdown the airplane bounced and veered to the right. The pilot applied full power and attempted a go-around; however, the airplane exited the runway environment and struck a pole. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over substantially damaging the firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9761L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9761L-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N M-1381, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (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: M-1381
- Airframe hours: 4089
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Witsken Jerome E
- Registered owner: Witsken Jerome E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 2009, 61 hours before
- Departed: 28AZ, Aguila, AZ
- Destination: N/A, Wenden, AZ
- Airport: N/A, Wayside Inn, runway 17, 1,400 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 341 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observed at: KBXK, 56 nm away

## 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 20100813040929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100813040929A), Aug 13, 2010: Beech C23, Wenden, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft N9761L departed aguila, AZ 0700 heading west to bouse, AZ. The pilot and passenger were on a sight seeing trip and flew over an intaglio known as the…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76957. 479 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 479 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335316&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.

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