Pilot Debrief

BEECH 35 near Wauchula, FL — 2022-08-01

Final reportERA22LA349
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Date
2022-08-01
Location
Wauchula, FL, USA
Airport
CHN
Aircraft
BEECH 35
Registration
N119ED
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after landing. A contributing factor was a degraded left main landing gear wheel assembly.

Contributing factors

contributing factor was a degraded left main landing gear wheel assembly.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had purchased the airplane as a “barn find” and reported that it had not been flown or serviced in 12 years. The accident flight was the first flight following completion of an annual inspection. While en route, the airplane sustained a total loss of electrical power, and the pilot diverted to a nearby airport. The pilot was able to lower the landing gear using the emergency landing gear extension system, and he prepared for a faster than normal landing because he was unable to lower the electrically actuated wing flaps. After touchdown, the airplane veered left, and the pilot was unable to correct. The airplane exited the runway and impacted a utility box, which collapsed the landing gear, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed that the left main wheel rotated, but it was “hard to spin.” There was no evidence of any other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Consider replacing aging wheel components before the first flight after long storage.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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