# NTSB WPR21LA349: Beech D17S, N1196V, San Diego / El Cajon, CA, September 21, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 20, 2021, 17:11 local (Sep 21, 2021, 00:11 UTC) - Place: San Diego / El Cajon, CA · RWY 27R - Coordinates: 32.826222, -116.97244 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8262&lon=-116.9724&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103929 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA349 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103929/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103929 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA349 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent collision with runway signage. ## 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 D17S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 D17S, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1150538), [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-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that, during the landing roll with a crosswind from the left, the airplane veered to the left, exited the left side of the runway and collided with runway signage. The pilot regained directional control of the airplane and taxied to parking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom left-wing ribs. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1196V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1196V), registered now, S/N 6703, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH D17S - Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6703 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 993.6 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 2021, 15 hours before - Departed: PTV, Porterville, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Fld, runway 09L/27R, 5,342 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review November 13, 2020; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 29,000 total, 15 in this make and model, 18,356 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KSEE - METAR: SPECI KSEE 210015Z 22006KT 10SM SKC 25/16 A2990 RMK AIRCRAFT MISHAPS ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20210920016549I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210920016549I), Sep 20, 2021: Beech D17S, El Cajon, CA, Minor damage. Pilot reported a left cross wind on landing. This cross wind pushed the tail to the right causing the aircraft to briefly depart the runway causing the left… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103929. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12834895&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12789203&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photograph-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.