Pilot Debrief

Beech 33 near Granbury, TX — 2020-02-08

Final reportCEN20FA076
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Date
2020-02-08
Location
Granbury, TX, USA
Airport
GDJ
Aircraft
Beech 33
Registration
N6665U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a personal flight to a nearby airport. Flight tracking information and a statement from another pilot indicated that the pilot overflew the runway, entered the airport traffic pattern, landed, and taxied the airplane off the runway. About 7 minutes later, the airplane was captured on radar as it flew downwind in the traffic pattern and proceeded north. About 2 minutes later, the radar data ended; the accident site was located 0.39 nautical mile north-northeast of the final radar return. The airplane impacted trees and terrain in a nose-low attitude with minimal forward momentum and a slightly twisted empennage, consistent with an aerodynamic stall/spin. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot was flying an extended pattern and turning from the base to final legs of the pattern when he exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and impact with terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured adequate fuel before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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