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NTSB Report

January 25, 1995 · Beech 33-A · N55VS

Lago Vista, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 25, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lago Vista, TX
Aircraft
Beech 33-A
Tail Number
N55VS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA095

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER EXECUTING A CIRCLING VOR/DME APPROACH, HE DID NOT HAVE VISUAL REFERENCE WITH THE AIRPORT UNITL THE AIRPLANE WAS 'ALMOST ON TOP OF THE RUNWAY' AT 600 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL). HE COMMENCED A DESCENDING, 'TIGHT' RIGHT TURN TO KEEP THE RUNWAY IN SIGHT. DESCENDING BELOW 300 FEET, THE PILOT CONTINUED A 'STEEP' TURN ON A 45 DEGREE BEARING TO THE RUNWAY TO INTERCEPT FINAL. HE STATED THAT AS HE 'STARTED TO LEVEL THE WINGS TO LAND, THE AIRCRAFT JUST DROPPED.' THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT 'THE RIGHT WING IMPACTED THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.' THE PILOT REPORTED WEATHER CONDITIONS OF FOG AND DRIZZLE DURING THE APPROACH. THE PUBLISHED MISSED APPROACH POINT FOR THE APPROACH WAS 5 MILES FROM THE FINAL APPROACH FIX AND 7/10 MILE NORTHWEST OF THE RUNWAY MIDPOINT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXECUTE A MISSED APPROACH AT MINIMUMS FOR THE NON-PRECISION APPROACH AND AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE CIRCLE TO LAND MANEUVER.

Full Narrative

On January 25, 1995, at 1630 central standard time, a Beechcraft BE33-A, N55VS, was substantially damaged during landing near Lago Vista, Texas. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed for the personal, cross country flight. The airplane departed Monroe Regional Airport (MLU), Monroe, Louisiana, approximately 1400 on an IFR flight to Lago Vista Airpark (5R3), Lago Vista, Texas. The pilot stated that most of the flight was flown above "solid overcast cloud layers" in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The pilot further stated that he received Austin (AUS) ATIS information which reported the weather to be 1600 overcast and 7 miles visibility. Austin is located 20 miles southeast of Lago Vista. The pilot then executed the VOR/DME-A approach with the intent to "circle to land" on runway 33. According to the pilot, "the entire approach was flown in IMC." While on the approach, the pilot updated ATIS information which reported the weather to be 1800 overcast, 7 miles visibility. The published missed approach point (MAP) for the approach was 5 miles from the final approach fix (FAF) and 7/10 mile northwest of the runway midpoint. The published Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) was 1780 feet mean sea level (MSL). Lago Vista Airpark elevation 1231 feet MSL. The pilot further stated that he "did not have visual reference with the airport until the airplane was almost on top of the runway" at 600 feet above ground level (AGL). At this point, the pilot commenced a descending right turn and stayed "tight so as not to lose sight of the runway." He stated that the airplane was descending below 300 feet in a "steep turn on a 45 degree bearing to runway 33." He continued the steep turn to intercept final and as he "started to level the wings to land, the airplane just dropped." He further stated that "the right wing impacted the runway, and the airplane skidded off the side of the runway." Examination of the aircraft at the scene by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed structural damage to both wings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CST
Nearest AirportLago Vista Airpark (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length3804 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 33-A
Tail NumberN55VS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BB · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data