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Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N80462
Location: Gordonville, TX
Accident Number: CEN15LA183
Date & Time: 03/29/2015, 1600 CDT
Registration: N80462
Aircraft: BEECH 35
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of lift
Injuries: 2 Serious, 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On March 29, 2015, about 1600 central daylight time, a Beech 35 single-engine airplane, N80462, impacted terrain, after departing the Cedar Mills Airport (3T0), Gordonville, Texas. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured, and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight which was destined for the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR), Tyler, Texas.
The pilot reported that he performed a soft field takeoff from the turf runway, and the airplane lifted off at an indicated airspeed of 80 mph. As the airplane neared the departure end of the runway, the pilot noticed the airplane was not climbing as expected, the indicated airspeed seemed unreliable, and the controls felt mushy and near stall speed. The airplane impacted trees and the roof of an unoccupied home. The airplane then impacted terrain, about 50 ft from the house and came to rest upright after impacting two propane storage tanks. There was no release of propane and there was no postimpact fire at the main wreckage.
Two witnesses observed the airplane depart from the runway. They stated that the airplane traveled quite a distance, or halfway down the runway before it became airborne. They added the right wing dropped, with one witness stating that he thought the airplane, "was going to crash right there". The witness stated he didn't think the engine speed was right and the airplane was slowly gaining altitude. The other witness reported that the airplane wasn't gaining any altitude and the engine sounded "strong" and did not cut out.
In a post-accident interview, the pilot stated that that it took longer than expected to get airborne because the ground was soft, but the engine was developing full power. Adding that he thought that a gust of wind hit the airplane, causing the right wing to dip and lose airspeed. He added that the windsock showed light and variable winds. The runway was lined with thick trees on both sides. He added that he considered doing a downhill takeoff toward the lake, but because of the possibility of a tail wind after passing tree line, he chose to do a soft field takeoff in the other direction.
The engine and airframe were examined by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and technical representatives from the engine and airframe manufacturers. The exam noted that the landing gear was in the down position and the flap actuator corresponded to flaps up (retracted) position. The constant speed, two-bladed propeller remained attached to the crankshaft. One blade was twisted and bent rearward beginning about 8 inches from the hub. The other blade had chordwise scratching with a portion of the blade tip broken off. The engine received thermal and impact damage; however, no preimpact abnormalities were noted with the engine or airframe.
A review of aircraft maintenance records revealed the last annual inspection was conducted on November 21, 2014. The last weight and balance sheet was completed on June 18, 2013, with an airplane empty weight of 1,765 lbs. The maximum gross weight of the airplane is 2,500 lbs. Using the pilot's listed weight and 28 gallons of fuel on-board, the remaining useful load for the remaining three passengers and any cargo would be about 379 lbs.
The automated weather reporting station located about 10 miles southeast of the accident site recorded wind from 210 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots.
3T0's runway 7/25, is described as a turf/grass runway 3,000 ft long by 60 ft wide. Runway 7/25 is surrounded by trees on three sides, and a lake on the departure end of runway 7. The chart supplement notes: 40 ft and 80 ft trees north and south of runway 25's centerline.
A review of the airplane's pilot operating handbook (POH) revealed that take-off performance charts did not have a correction factor for grass/turf runways. The POH was not required to have the correction factors.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 62, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/16/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/27/2014
Flight Time: (Estimated) 2165 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1513 hours (Total, this make and model), 2044 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: BEECH
Registration: N80462
Model/Series: 35
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1947
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: D-62
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/21/2014, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 19 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4608 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: E-228-8
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 225 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGYI, 749 ft msl
Observation Time: 1555 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 136°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 15°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots/ 15 knots, 210°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Gordonville, TX (3T0)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: TYLER, TX (TYR)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1700 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: CEDAR MILLS (3T0)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 640 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Wet
Runway Used: 25
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3000 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious, 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.837500, -96.816111 (est)
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, March 29, 2015 in Gordonville, TX
Aircraft: BEECH 35, registration: N80462
Injuries: 2 Serious, 2 Minor.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On March 29, 2015, about 1600 central daylight time, a Beech 35, single-engine airplane, N80462, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain during initial climb at Cedar Mills Airport (3T0), Gordonville, Texas. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured, and two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Day visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight which was destined for Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR), Tyler, Texas.
The pilot reported that during his soft field takeoff from the turf runway the airplane had lifted off at an indicated airspeed of 80 mph. As the airplane neared the departure end of the runway the pilot noticed the airplane was not climbing as expected, the indicated airspeed seemed unreliable, and the controls felt mushy and near stall speed. The airplane then impacted trees and the roof of an unoccupied home. The engine separated and fell inside the home which resulted in a structure fire that substantially damaged the home. The airplane impacted terrain about 50 feet from the burning home and came to rest upright after impacting two nearly full propane storage tanks. There was no release of propane and there was no postimpact fire at the location of the main wreckage. Several persons at another nearby home witness the impact and responded immediately to assist the four occupants to exit the wreckage.
GORDONVILLE, TX -- Four people were injured when their plane crashed Sunday afternoon in Grayson County.
The single engine plane clipped a home in the 300 block of Greenbriar Road in Gordonville just after four Sunday afternoon.
It was a typical Sunday afternoon for the Brattain family in the Shady Shores area.
"My father in law had just broken the water meter in front of the house,” said John Brattain. “So we had water spraying everywhere."
When all of the sudden
"I'm looking up over the top of the house and I see a wing or something flash,” said Brattain. “And I hear a crash, a boom."
That boom was a plane landing in the backyard of John Brattain's in laws.
Troopers say it was carrying four people: a man, a woman and two kids.
"I though it was coming through our house,” said Brattain. “It freaked me out."
After seeing his family was not hurt, John quickly sprang into action.
"I started yelling there's people, there's people!” said Brattain, who pulled the male passenger from the wreckage. “Call 911, there's a plane crash, there's people."
The plane had landed in between two propane tanks.
"I saw a guy hanging out the window of the plane,” said Brattain. “He had Plexiglas all over his head and neck. I really thought he wasn't with us."
Brattain's family then joined in and helped all four passengers out of the plane, when yet another problem arose.
"We noticed the house behind us started to catch on fire," said Brattain.
The plane's prop engine had broken off in the nearby building, the wreckage eventually starting a small fire.
Brattain quickly shut off the power and fought the fire with a neighbor until the fire department showed up.
"It didn't hit me how bad the plane was,” said Brattain. “All I saw was people and they were alive. And that's it, I just wanted to get the people out. It's a miracle their alive.”
According to a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman, the female and male passengers are in serious condition tonight. We're told the two children's injuries are not as severe.
The names of the victims are not being released.
According to FAA records, the single engine plane is registered to Robert Gentry of Tyler, Texas.
Story, video and photo gallery: http://www.kten.com
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GORDONVILLE, Texas -- A plane crashed into a house in Gordonville on Sunday, sending the four passengers to the hospital -- two were seriously injured.
It happened just after 4 p.m. a few miles from the Cedar Mills Airport, where the plane had taken off from.
FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the plane was a Beechcraft B35 aircraft.
The pilot has been identified as Robert Gentry and a passenger as 51-year-old Karen Christian.
The family, whose backyard became the scene of a plane crash, said they were enjoying their Sunday when the incident happened.
What they did next helped save the lives of the four people on board.
"I ran around the side of the house I thought the guy was dead hanging out the window of the plane."
Trooper Mark Tackett said the engine and propeller came off the plane, which struck an unoccupied home before the plane landed in a backyard.
"I looked out the window as it hit right there in my backyard," Rhonda Brogdon said. "I could see the wing hit the ground."
Brogdon and her family jumped into action. Pulling Christian and two teenagers from the plane.
"I jumped on the plane and helped the lady out of the plane," Belinda Burris said. "Her legs were broken and she was pretty beat up and my mom came and helped me get her out of there."
John Bratron, a family member of the homeowner's said he wasn't just worried about injures from the crash, the house the plane hit, had caught fire and the flames were creeping closer to Gentry.
"I had to get them out of it because there was fuel all over the plane," he said.
After everyone was safely outside of the plane, Braton and his family set their sights on the fire.
"I kicked in the front door went in and started spraying water on the fire," Braton said.
Christian was flown to the Medical Center of Plano with serious injures. Gentry was also taken to a nearby hospital with serious injures. The two teenagers had only minor injures.
Burris says without the help of her family things might not have ended the same.
"It wasn't a second guess for them," Burris said. "They just stepped in and made sure that they could do everything they could do, and I just wish that you know if I was ever in an accident that people would be like that for me."
Story and video: http://www.kxii.com
GRAYSON COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - The 911 calls have been released surrounding a plane crash over the weekend that injured several Tyler residents. Bob Gentry, his girlfriend, Karen Christian, his daughter, Annie Gentry and her boyfriend, Collin Howell, were all aboard the small single engine Beechcraft 35 plane. It crashed in a backyard near Gordonville, just after taking off from Cedar Mills Airport Sunday afternoon.
Initial Call transcript:
Dispatch: “Grayson County 911. What is your emergency?”
Caller: “We've got a plane crash on Greenbriar in Gordonville. We need an ambulance, please hurry.”
Dispatch: “One sec, let me get you to Whitesboro. Where is it?”
Caller: “In Gordonville.”
Dispatch: “I know, where in Gordonville?”
Caller: “375 Greenbriar.”
Dispatch: “Okay, just a moment. We have an airplane crash 375 Greenbriar. I'm getting it over there. I'm getting you to Whitesboro, okay? Stay on the line. A small plane? How many people? Can you tell?”
Caller: “I don't know. We're running down there right now.”
Dispatch: “Okay.”
Caller: “Please hurry.”
Second call transcript:
Dispatch: “Grayson County 911. What is your emergency?”
Caller: “Yeah, we're in Sherwood Shores ma'am, we need people out here, nobody's showed up.”
Dispatch: “We've got them on the way, sir. They're volunteers and the closest ambulance is Whitesboro. They should be there in just a couple of minutes.”
Caller: “Tell them that we've got a house that's on fire now, too.”
Dispatch: “They realize that. We have transferred the information to Whitesboro. I can give you back to them again, just a moment.”
Caller: “Okay.”
Dispatch: “But they are aware.”
Caller: “We need ambulances bad.”
Dispatch: “We know, sir. We've got air ambulances on hold, too. Just let me get you to Whitesboro, just a moment.”
Caller: “Okay.”
Third call transcript:
Dispatch: “Grayson County 911.”
Caller: “We need the fire department and the ambulance out here to the paramedics out here to Sherwood Shores.”
Dispatch: “Where at?”
Caller: “We're on Greenbriar.”
Dispatch: “Oh, the plane crash?”
Caller: “Yes, ma'am.”
Dispatch: “They're on their way, sir.”
Caller: “Okay, well, we have some people that are injured real severely.”
Dispatch: “I understand that sir. We've got people en route.”
Caller: “Okay, thank you.”
The teens made it out uninjured and both adults are recovering from non-life threatening injuries. The FAA is still investigating the crash.
The engine and propeller broke off when the plane hit the home, but an FAA spokesperson said that was likely not the cause of the crash. The pilot, Bob Gentry, is described as a highly experienced pilot who earned his commercial license as well as his instrument rating.
orientation appears N80462 was on base to final.
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