Beechcraft F33A N2291L

Summary

On 19 August 1999 at about 18:45 local time, a Beechcraft F33A registered N2291L, operated by DAN A. Labbee, was involved in an accident near White Swan, Washington, United States. 4 people were on board and one died, 3 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 August 1999 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

White Swan, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Labbee

Coordinates

46.3599, -120.7803

Aircraft

Beechcraft F33A

Registration

N2291L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

DAN A. Labbee

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Othello

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA99FA144

1 person died.

Inadequate preflight planning/preparation and low airspeed. A dirt embankment, soft runway, and an excessive takeoff weight were factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that when he and his passengers arrived at the airstrip, sprinklers were still on the southern half of the airstrip. The pilot had some workers remove the sprinklers while he and his passengers drove to a field to inspect a crop. About 15 minutes later, the pilot returned to the airstrip. The pilot reported that normally he would have driven down the grass strip to check its condition, however, on this day he did not. After the normal pre-flight inspections were complete, the occupants boarded the aircraft. The pilot prepared for the short field takeoff by extending the flaps to 10 degrees, applying power and holding the brakes. The pilot then released the brakes and began the takeoff ground roll from the southern end. The pilot stated that at the beginning of the roll, he noted some soft spots, but did not think it unusual. It wasn't until about 70 percent of the airstrip was used, did the pilot realize that the aircraft was not accelerating fast enough. The aircraft finally became airborne about 150 feet from the end of the airstrip. The airspeed was slow and the stall warning horn was sounding. The pilot held the aircraft level and retracted the landing gear in an effort to clear the four foot high embankment located about 71 feet from the end of the airstrip. The aircraft did not gain the airspeed or altitude necessary to clear the embankment. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. Post-crash investigation revealed that the aircraft was over gross takeoff weight at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he did not calculate a weight and balance prior to takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.