# NTSB WPR21LA287: Beech A36TC, N222HC, Chandler, AZ, July 10, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 10, 2021, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ · Struck airport perimeter fence - Coordinates: 33.265377, -111.82106 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2654&lon=-111.8211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103555 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA287 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103555/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103555 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA287 ## Probable cause The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff due to insufficient airspeed. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36TC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151603), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36TC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151603), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36TC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151603), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that before takeoff he calculated the airplane’s takeoff weight, which he determined to be near the maximum gross takeoff weight with a center of gravity (CG) on the forward edge of the CG envelope. The takeoff calculations assumed that the airplane could sufficiently clear a 50-ft obstacle during the takeoff ground roll. During the takeoff, the pilot reported that the engine sound and indications were normal for the takeoff roll but that acceleration was slightly slower and the ground roll longer than predicted. The pilot did not abort the takeoff because he thought that the slower acceleration and longer ground roll were related to the outside air temperature, which was about 91oF. After liftoff, the pilot kept the nose lowered to build airspeed. After the landing gear was retracted, the airplane did not accelerate or climb. The airspeed was getting slower, and the stall warning was activating intermittently. As the airplane neared the end of the runway, the pilot aborted the takeoff and landed the airplane just beyond the departure end of the runway in dirt. The airplane slid on its belly and subsequently collided with an airport fence. The wings were substantially damaged, and a postimpact fire ensued. Examination of the engine revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the combination of a high gross airplane weight and a high outside temperature resulted in a ground roll that was longer than the pilot expected based on his takeoff calculations. By the time that the pilot aborted the takeoff, the airplane was operating at or near the stall speed and was thus not able to gain altitude. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 2021, about 0730 mountain standard time, a Beech A36TC, N222HC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Chandler, Arizona. One passenger sustained serious injuries, and the pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, before takeoff, he calculated the takeoff weight to be 3,794 pounds and the center of gravity (CG) to be on the forward edge of the CG envelope. The maximum certified gross weight for the airplane was 3,833 pounds. The pilot also calculated the takeoff distance to clear a 50 ft obstacle to be about 3,000 ft for an outside temperature of 90oF. The length of the runway to be used for takeoff was 4,400 ft. The pilot reported that the preflight inspection and the engine start, taxi, and pretakeoff checks were normal. The pilot further reported that the engine sound and indications were normal for the takeoff roll but that the airplane’s acceleration was “slightly slower than expected” and the ground roll was “longer than predicted.” The pilot did not abort the takeoff because “given the high OAT [outside air temperature], this was not…indicative of a problem.” He did not recall the speed for rotation but reported that it was within the range for takeoff. After liftoff, the pilot lowered the airplane’s nose to allow the airplane to accelerate. After the landing gear was retracted, the airplane did not accelerate or climb, the airspeed was getting slower, and the stall warning was activating intermittently. As the airplane was nearing the end of the runway, the pilot aborted the takeoff, and the airplane landed just beyond the departure end of the runway and into dirt. The airplane slid on its belly and subsequently collided with an airport fence. The wings were substantially damaged, and a postimpact fire ensued. Postaccident examination revealed extensive thermal damage throughout the engine. All engine accessories and the propeller hub remained attached to the engine. All engine accessories were removed along with the upper spark plugs and rocker box covers. The crankshaft was rotated by hand using the propeller. Thumb compression and suction was obtained on all six cylinders. The intake and exhaust valve rocker arms on all cylinders exhibited equal movement when the crankshaft was rotated. The turbo-charger waste gate remained attached in its installed position. The butterfly valve was in the open position. The control arm was actuated using a hand tool, and the butterfly valve opened once pressure was released. The turbine and compressor impellers spun freely by hand with no binding noted. The compressor and turbine impellers were intact with slight lateral play in the shaft between the compressor and turbine impellers along with slight rub marks on the housing. No preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions were found that would have precluded normal operation of theengine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N222HC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N222HC), registered now, S/N EA-259, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36TC - Registry model: [Beech A36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36tc) (registry code 1151603) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: EA-259 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 4491 - Engines: TCM TSIO-520-UB6B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: B L Aviation LLC, doing business as Mudd Flyers - Registered owner: B L Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2021 - Departed: KCHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: KSEZ, Sedona, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal, runway 22R, 4,401 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,026 total, 1,293 in this make and model, 1,913 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KCHD - METAR: SA 10/07/2021 14:47-> METAR KCHD 101447Z 15003KT 10SM SCT150 33/20 A2988= ## 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 20210710010549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210710010549A), Jul 10, 2021: Beech A36TC, Chandler, AZ, Destroyed. Prior to the flight at Chandler airport (chd) on 7/10/2021 [privacy data omitted] stated weight and balance analysis was calculated prior to the flight and the… ## Other investigations on N222HC (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC84LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA105), Mar 17, 1984: Beech A36TC (N222HC), North Platte, NE, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103555. 10.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12639684&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20N222HC_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of communication - mosier (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15390848&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA287%20Record%20of%20Communication%20-%20Mosier_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine examination report (item 3, PDF, 9 pages, 869 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15357106&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA287%20Engine%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 4 photos, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12524927&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20WPR21LA287%20N222HC-Rel.pdf - Weather (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15355937&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather-Rel.pdf - Weight and balance calculator - mosier (item 6, PDF, 9 pages, 833 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15491598&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weight%20and%20Balance%20Calculator%20-%20Mosier_Redacted-Rel.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.