Beechcraft S35 N354M

Summary

On 27 September 2021 at about 01:22 local time, a Beechcraft S35 registered N354M was involved in an accident near Billings, Montana, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 September 2021 at 01:22

Classification

Accident

Location

Billings, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Billings Flying Service (63MT)

Coordinates

45.7159, -108.5773

Aircraft

Beechcraft S35

Registration

N354M

Category

Airplane

Year built

1964

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

WPR21FA353

2 people died.

The pilot’s improper flare, which led to a hard landing, subsequent loss of control, and collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting a cross-country flight with an intended destination that did not have runway lighting. As the airplane neared the intended destination, the pilot voiced his concern to one passenger (who was pilot rated) about the dusk conditions with no runway lights and the passenger reassured him about the landing. The pilot stated that, as the airplane was landing, the pilot-rated passenger knew something was wrong and told the pilot to “add power.” The airplane subsequently made a left turn and impacted trees in a nose-high attitude; a postimpact fire ensued. Witnesses located near the accident site reported observing the airplane on final approach. One witness stated that the airplane appeared to be “slightly high and slightly fast” while on final approach to the runway and that the airplane had “floated down the runway” before a hard touchdown. Another witness stated that the left wing appeared to have stalled, and that the airplane landed hard on the left main landing gear first. One of the witnesses further stated that the airplane began to “wobble” and depart the left side of the runway, which followed by an increase in engine power and a go-around attempt. The witness added that engine power continued as the left wingtip was dragged across the ground about halfway through the go-around attempt. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the runway and ground marks, and witnesses’ observations of the landing, the pilot continued an unstabilized landing approach, and delayed execution of a go-around, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent loss of airplane control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.