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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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December 25, 1983 · Beech A36 · N66846

Montoursville, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 25, 1983
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (3 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Montoursville, PA
Aircraft
Beech A36
Tail Number
N66846
Operator
Leo R Landhuis
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC84FA059

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE OVERHEAD COURTSEY LIGHT FLICKERED. AS THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE RIGHT FRONT CABIN DOOR OPENED & THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE PLT ADVISED THE TOWER HE WOULD BE RETURNING TO LAND & ENTERED A RIGHT DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 27AT 500 FT AGL. THE PLT STATED THE INTERIOR OF THE ACFT BECAME VERY NOISY & COLD SO HE ELECTED TO FLY THE DOWNWIND LEG ATABOUT 500 AGL TO REDUCE THE TIME OF EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS. THE ABILITY TO SEE THE ARPT WAS REDUCED ON THE RIGHT BASE AS THE PLT HAD TO LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE WHITE OVERHEAD COURTESY LIGHT. WHEN THE PLT WAS ABLE TO SEE THE ARPT HE WAS NOTIN A POSITION FOR A NORMAL LANDING SO HE INITIATED A LEFT TURN TO INTERCEPT THE RWY 27 FINAL APPROACH PATH. THE ACFT LOST ALTITUDE RAPIDLY & THE TOWER ISSUED TWO ALTITUDE WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE ACFT STRIKING TREES. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Full Narrative

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE OVERHEAD COURTSEY LIGHT FLICKERED. AS THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE RIGHT FRONT CABIN DOOR OPENED & THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE PLT ADVISED THE TOWER HE WOULD BE RETURNING TO LAND & ENTERED A RIGHT DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 27AT 500 FT AGL. THE PLT STATED THE INTERIOR OF THE ACFT BECAME VERY NOISY & COLD SO HE ELECTED TO FLY THE DOWNWIND LEG ATABOUT 500 AGL TO REDUCE THE TIME OF EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS. THE ABILITY TO SEE THE ARPT WAS REDUCED ON THE RIGHT BASE AS THE PLT HAD TO LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE WHITE OVERHEAD COURTESY LIGHT. WHEN THE PLT WAS ABLE TO SEE THE ARPT HE WAS NOTIN A POSITION FOR A NORMAL LANDING SO HE INITIATED A LEFT TURN TO INTERCEPT THE RWY 27 FINAL APPROACH PATH. THE ACFT LOST ALTITUDE RAPIDLY & THE TOWER ISSUED TWO ALTITUDE WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE ACFT STRIKING TREES. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:53 EST
Nearest AirportWilliamsport (1nm E)
Runway27
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN66846
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLeo R Landhuis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · I0-520-BB · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (3 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind270° @ 22 kt, gusting 28 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point1 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data