Beechcraft B60 Duke, C-FESG: Accident occurred January 16, 2018 at Scottsdale Airport (KSDL), Maricopa County, Arizona

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Accident Number: GAA18CA109
Date & Time: 01/16/2018, 1600 MST
Registration: CFESG
Aircraft: BEECH B60
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the approach, he flew the airplane about 10 knots faster than normal due to other traffic's wake turbulence. He added that, while decelerating during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder but to no avail. The airplane veered off the runway to the left, struck a taxiway sign, and the nose landing gear collapsed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the pressure vessel.

During postaccident examination, the pilot observed that the left tire had blown out. The tire exhibited a flat, bald spot about the width of the tire. The tire fabric threads were visible around a hole in the tire, consistent with a skid.

In a followup conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator- in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that, during the approach, he verified brake hydraulic pressure. He added that he checked that his heels were on the floor and that he was the sole manipulator of the controls during landing.

The airport Operations Manager reported that, during the recovery process, there were no observed fluids around the main landing gear. He added that the airport surveillance video captured the landing sequence, which showed that there was "quite a bit of smoke" from the left tire during touchdown.

The airplane's logbooks indicated that the most recent maintenance work was done a month before the accident. The mechanic who worked on the airplane reported that the pilot requested work on the oleo struts but not to the brake system. He added that, during the oleo strut maintenance, the brakes were unbolted and set aside until reassembly. After the oleo strut work was completed, the mechanic ran up the airplane, taxied around, and tested the brake with no observed abnormalities.

An NTSB IIC and Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and the NTSB IIC reported that the left brake rotor was normal in color and had minimal wear; the right main landing gear was unremarkable. He added that the brake pedals were actuated, and pressure was heard at both main landing gear brake assemblies. The brake pedal foot pressure was also unremarkable. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper brake application during landing, which resulted in a tire blowout and a loss of directional control.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Attain/maintain not possible (Cause)
Brake - Incorrect use/operation (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Sign/marker - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Miscellaneous/other
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery
Runway excursion
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Landing gear collapse

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 65, 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: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/14/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 901 hours (Total, all aircraft), 51 hours (Total, this make and model), 606 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 19 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 59
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/29/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/17/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 17000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 55 hours (Total, this make and model), 16500 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: BEECH
Registration: CFESG
Model/Series: B60
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1982
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: P-595
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/11/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 7000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4027.3 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TIO-541-E1C4
Registered Owner: 2190089 Ontario Inc.
Rated Power: 380 hp
Operator: 2190089 Ontario Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSDL, 1473 ft msl
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 46°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / -3°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots, 110°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ALBUQUERQUE, NM (ABQ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Scottsdale, AZ (SDL)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1424 MST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: SCOTTSDALE (SDL)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1510 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 8249 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  33.621111, -111.913333 (est)