# NTSB WPR24LA120: Beecraft Bonanza, N9989R, Angel Fire, NM, March 30, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 30, 2024, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Angel Fire, NM
- Coordinates: 36.418086, -105.29032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4181&lon=-105.2903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194015/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194015
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA120

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff with a gusting crosswind..

## 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: [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: [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 · Effect on operation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff with a gusting crosswind, the airplane veered to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder an elevator inputs, however, the airplane continued to veer left, and he aborted the takeoff. The airplane exited the left side of runway and impacted a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mounts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was departing on runway 35 with wind from 250° at 12 to 15 knots, gusting to 18 to 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9989R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECRAFT Bonanza
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-6632
- Year built: 1961
- Airframe hours: 4987
- Engines: Continental IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aspen Aircraft LLC
- Registered owner: Aspen Aircraft LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2023
- Destination: HSD, Piedmont, OK
- Airport: AXX, Angel Fire, runway 17/35, 8,900 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 7, 2024; seat: left; flight hours: 313 total, 152 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 26 knots, gusting 39
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observed at: KLVS, 22 nm away
- METAR: KLVS 302053Z AUTO 22026G39KT 10SM CLR 19/M12 A2991 RMK AO2 PK WND 23041/2033 SLP041 T01941122 56023 $

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194015. 5.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17515542&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20N9989R_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17515658&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.

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