# NTSB WPR14CA009: Beech A36, N2051N, Tilden, TX, October 6, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 6, 2013, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Tilden, TX - Coordinates: 28.466667, -98.583335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4667&lon=-98.5833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88178 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88178/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88178 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff from a wet and soft airstrip which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate airspeed and aircraft control during the takeoff initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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 A36, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Beech A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Beech A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech A36, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the private airstrip was muddy and soft due to rain showers the night before. During the short field takeoff, the airplane drifted left of centerline and the left main landing gear encountered mud which impeded ground speed. The pilot applied right rudder control to re-center the airplane on the airstrip as the takeoff was continued. After rotation, the pilot kept the airplane in ground effect to build airspeed, however, he was approaching the end of the airstrip and trees. The pilot initiated a steep angle of attack which resulted in the airplane stalling about 60 feet above ground level. The airplane descended, collided with the ground, and cartwheeled before coming to rest. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the private airstrip was muddy and soft due to rain showers the night before. During the short field takeoff, the airplane drifted left of centerline and the left main landing gear encountered mud which impeded ground speed. The pilot applied right rudder control to re-center the airplane on the airstrip as the takeoff was continued. After rotation, the pilot kept the airplane in ground effect to build airspeed, however, he was approaching the end of the airstrip and trees. The pilot initiated a steep angle of attack which resulted in the airplane stalling about 60 feet above ground level. The airplane descended, collided with the ground, and cartwheeled before coming to rest. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2051N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2051N-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N E-1409, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-1409 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 6249 - Engines: Continental Motors IO-520-BB15 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: J & J Aircraft LLC - Registered owner: J & J Aircraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2013 - Departed: NONE, Tilden, TX - Destination: PEZ, Pleasanton, TX - Airport: NONE, Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 6, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 740 total, 460 in this make and model, 718 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg ## 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 20131006019519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131006019519A), Oct 6, 2013: Beech A36, Tilden, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting to depart a 1500 foot dirt & grass strip that was water-saturated and muddy. Shortly after becoming airborne the airplane rolled left.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88178. 872 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 872 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402940&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.