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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 15, 1997 · Beech B19 · N59BW

New Smyrna Bch, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
New Smyrna Bch, FL
Aircraft
Beech B19
Tail Number
N59BW
Operator
Arthur a Dupont
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA97LA183

The pilot had inadvertently left the towbar attached to the nosewheel. During the initial climb after takeoff, he was informed that something was attached to his nosewheel. He continued to his destination airport. During arrival, the airplane touched down hard on the left main landing gear, the nose pitched down, and subsequently, the left main landing gear and nosewheel failed. The airplane then veered to the left, departed the runway, and the left wing was damaged.

NTSB Probable Cause

the private pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent collapse of the left main landing gear and the nose gear.

Full Narrative

On June 15, 1997, about 1012 eastern daylight time, a Beech B19, N59BW, registered to a Dair Enterprize Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on landing at the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Daytona Beach, Florida, about 17 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane before he departed on the VFR flight to conduct touch-and-go landings at New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He inadvertently left the nosewheel tow bar attached to the airplane. On climbout, Daytona Beach tower informed him that something was attached to the nosewheel. He elected to continue to New Smyrna Beach. He made a VFR approach to runway 29 and was concentrating on keeping the nose high due to the tow bar. He landed hard on the left main landing gear and the nose pitched down on the nosewheel. The left main landing gear and the nose wheel separated, the airplane veered to the left, departed the runway, and the left wing collided with the ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:12 EDT
Nearest AirportNew Smyrna Bch Municipal (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech B19
Tail NumberN59BW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorArthur a Dupont
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2C · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 13 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data