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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

December 14, 1998 · Cessna 337 · N536RK

Lufkin, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 14, 1998
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Lufkin, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 337
Tail Number
N536RK
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW99LA047

The multi-engine airplane was destroyed during a post impact fire following impact with the ground while attempting a go-around maneuver after a bounced landing. On final approach to land, the pilot noted that he flared the aircraft 'late', and the aircraft contacted the runway in a 'level attitude' which resulted in a 'hard landing and bounce'. The aircraft 'bounced' a second time, and the pilot noted that the bounce was 'really high', with the aircraft drifting to the left. After the airplane bounced a third time, the pilot called for a 'go-around', and 'fire-walled everything'. The pilot then noted that when he 'pushed the entire power quadrant forward', the airplane immediately entered a severe left turn with full left yoke deflection, which [he] could not reverse'. At this point, the airplane was in a steep left turn, heading 90 degrees left of the runway heading, towards hangars. The pilot then 'pulled the nose up to try [to] get over the hangars, and the airplane probably stalled'. The airplane then impacted the ground left wing down and slid between two hangars. A fire erupted as both occupants exited the aircraft. The airplane was consumed by the post impact fire.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadvertent stall due to the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

Full Narrative

On December 14, 1998, approximately 1400 central standard time, a Cessna 337 multi-engine airplane, N536RK, was destroyed during a post impact fire following impact with the ground while attempting a go-around maneuver on runway 33 at the Angelina County Airport, Lufkin, Texas. Both occupants, the pilot-in-command [private pilot certificate] and a pilot rated passenger [private pilot certificate], received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot-in-command. The flight originated from Conroe, Texas, about 1330. The pilot-in-command provided the NTSB investigator-in-charge with a written statement which outlined the flight events prior to and during the accident. He stated that earlier in the day [about 1115], he flew the airplane to Conroe, Texas, to have maintenance performed. After minor airframe maintenance was completed, he picked up his pilot rated passenger, and flew an uneventful VFR flight back to Lufkin. Upon entering the local landing pattern for runway 33, the pilot received airport advisory information stating that the winds were from 010 degrees at 6 knots. On final approach to land, he noted that he flared the aircraft "late", and the aircraft contacted the runway in a "level attitude" which resulted in a "hard landing and bounce". The aircraft "bounced" a second time, and the pilot noted that the bounce was "really high", with the aircraft drifting to the left. After the airplane bounced a third time, the pilot called for a "go-around", and "fire-walled everything". The pilot then noted that when he "pushed the entire power quadrant forward", the airplane immediately entered a severe left turn with full left yoke deflection, which [he] could not reverse". At this point, the airplane was in a steep left turn, heading 90 degrees left of the runway heading, towards hangars. The pilot then "pulled the nose up to try [to] get over the hangars, and the airplane probably stalled". The airplane then impacted the ground left wing down and slid between two hangars. A fire erupted as both occupants exited the aircraft. The airplane was consumed by the post impact fire.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest AirportAngelina County (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length4309 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 337
Tail NumberN536RK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data