Pilot Debrief

BEECH E35 near Mount Morris, NY — 2009-10-10

Final reportERA10LA014
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Date
2009-10-10
Location
Mount Morris, NY, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
BEECH E35
Registration
N3515B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to take off from unsuitable terrain with a quartering tailwind.

NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted a quartering tailwind takeoff from a 1,200-foot turf runway to troubleshoot why the entry door would pop open on takeoff. Although the airplane initially became airborne, it was either unable to maintain flight, or the pilot elected to land it in a hayfield beyond the end of the runway. After inspecting the airplane, the pilot taxied it to another spot on the rough-surfaced hayfield, and attempted another quartering tailwind takeoff. Again, after briefly becoming airborne, the airplane landed, but then went through a hedgerow and crossed a drainage ditch. Other than the entry door, the pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The pilot did not have a logbook, and had not had a biennial flight review “in a few years,” but continued to fly on a regular basis. The pilot also did not hold a current medical certificate, and was taking prescribed medications on a daily basis that typically would not have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to attempt takeoff with known door issue.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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