The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Accident Number: CEN17LA282
Date & Time: 07/23/2017, 2230 CDT
Registration: N4216D
Aircraft: BEECH G35
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On July 23, 2017, about 2230 central daylight time, a Beech G35, N4216D, was substantially damaged when it struck an irrigation canal off the end of runway 13 at Wichita Valley Airport (F14), Wichita Falls, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was seriously injured. The local flight originated from Grand Prairie (GPM), Texas, about 2130.
According to the pilot's accident report, he departed GPM about 2130, and received flight following and a clearance into Class B airspace. The flight proceeded normally until he entered the downwind leg for runway 13 at F14. He noted scattered thunderstorms ahead. On final approach, he thought the airplane was too high and he considered making a go-around. He felt strong downdraft and encountered heavy rain and turbulence. He also observed several lightning strikes ahead.
The pilot made the decision to land and risk running off the end of the runway rather than possibly entering the thunderstorm. The pilot said he did not realize there were 6-foot tall berms on either side of a drainage ditch 50 to 60 feet from the end of the runway because of the tall weeds obscured them. There was also standing water on the second half of the runway. The airplane went off the end of the runway and struck the first berm. The impact rendered the pilot unconscious. When he regained consciousness minutes later, the airplane was in a drainage ditch and water had filled the cockpit. He remained in the airplane until daylight, extricated himself, and walked to a nearby house where he called 9-1-1.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the airplane and reported finding substantial damage to the forward fuselage and firewall.
Weather observations recorded at Sheppard Air Force Base/Wichita Falls Municipal Airport (SPS), located 7 miles to the east of F14, reported winds varying from 060° to 360° at 16 to 20 knots, and gusting from 21 to 29 knots, with a peak wind at 35 knots. There was a thunderstorm in the vicinity, with lightning observed in all quadrants.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Waiver Time Limited Special
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/20/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/16/2016
Flight Time: (Estimated) 5000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 500 hours (Total, this make and model), 3500 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Registration: N4216D
Model/Series: G35 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: D-4414
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/03/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3888 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: E-225-8
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: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSPS, 1019 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2231 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 20°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 8000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 12 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / Convective
Wind Direction: 30°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / Moderate
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Grand Prairie, TX (GPM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Wichita Falls, TX (F14)
Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 2130 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Wichita Valley (F14)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1004 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Wet
Runway Used: 13
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3320 ft / 40 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 33.944167, -98.613056 (est)
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