# NTSB WPR12CA068: Beech J35, N8281D, Cheyenne, WY, December 16, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 16, 2011, 15:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Cheyenne, WY
- Coordinates: 41.155555, -104.810554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1556&lon=-104.8106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82531/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82531
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA068

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

## 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 J35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 J35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech J35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech J35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was landing with a 40-degree crosswind. During the flare, about five feet above ground level, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot said that he thought he could control the veer on the ground, but the airplane veered off the runway, down an embankment, and collided with a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he was performing a normal landing to runway 27. During the landing flare, the airplane veered to the right, proceeded off the edge of the runway, down a grass slope, and into the airport boundary chain link fence. Airport weather observations recorded at the time of the accident were winds 230 at 10 knots, and clear sky. The airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8281D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8281D-2012-05-04), registration cancelled 2012-05-04, S/N D-5402, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH J35
- Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5402
- Airframe hours: 6972
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Becker Lawrence D
- Registered owner: Becker Lawrence D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2011
- Departed: KYKM, Yakima, WA
- Destination: KCYS, Cheyenne, WY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KCYS, Cheyenne Regional, runway 27, 9,270 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 14, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observed at: KCYS

## 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 20111216028869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111216028869A), Dec 16, 2011: Beech J35, Cheyenne, WY, Substantial damage. On December 16, 2011 at 1505 MST, N8281D a Beechcraft model J35 bonanza aircraft sustained substantial damage during landing at Cheyenne regional/Jerry Olson…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82531. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 434 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - On scene photo (item 2, .PDF, 889 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20On%20scene%20photo-Master.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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