Pilot Debrief

BEECH V35B near Oljato, UT — 2011-07-07

Final reportWPR11LA315
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Date
2011-07-07
Location
Oljato, UT, USA
Aircraft
BEECH V35B
Registration
N1735W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to follow the airplane manufacturer’s mixture setting guidance while landing in high density altitude conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane was on short final approach with the landing gear down when he noted that he was mistakenly attempting to land at an abandoned airport that was not suitable for landing but was near his planned destination. He initiated a go-around; however, the airplane did not climb and subsequently stalled about 5 feet above ground level and collided with the terrain. The pilot stated that he had the mixture in the full rich position. He stated his belief that the engine did not respond to the request for power as the mixture was too rich for the high density altitude (8,000 feet). The manufacturer’s guidance advises pilots to set the mixture control to the full rich position, or as required by field elevation. If the mixture had been appropriately set for the high density altitude conditions, the engine likely would have had adequate power for a successful go-around.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a suitable airport for landing instead of the abandoned one.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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