Pilot Debrief

BEECH S35 near Billings, MT — 2021-09-27

Final reportWPR21FA353
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Date
2021-09-27
Location
Billings, MT, USA
Airport
63MT
Aircraft
BEECH S35
Registration
N354M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper flare, which led to a hard landing, subsequent loss of control, and collision with trees.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting a cross-country flight with an intended destination that did not have runway lighting. As the airplane neared the intended destination, the pilot voiced his concern to one passenger (who was pilot rated) about the dusk conditions with no runway lights and the passenger reassured him about the landing. The pilot stated that, as the airplane was landing, the pilot-rated passenger knew something was wrong and told the pilot to “add power.” The airplane subsequently made a left turn and impacted trees in a nose-high attitude; a postimpact fire ensued. Witnesses located near the accident site reported observing the airplane on final approach. One witness stated that the airplane appeared to be “slightly high and slightly fast” while on final approach to the runway and that the airplane had “floated down the runway” before a hard touchdown. Another witness stated that the left wing appeared to have stalled, and that the airplane landed hard on the left main landing gear first. One of the witnesses further stated that the airplane began to “wobble” and depart the left side of the runway, which followed by an increase in engine power and a go-around attempt. The witness added that engine power continued as the left wingtip was dragged across the ground about halfway through the go-around attempt. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the runway and ground marks, and witnesses’ observations of the landing, the pilot continued an unstabilized landing approach, and delayed execution of a go-around, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent loss of airplane control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing due to dusk conditions and lack of runway lights.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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