Narrative:The aircraft had completed a flight from Billings, MT when the co-pilot started a visual approach to runway 29. He initiated the flare too high above the runway, and as the aircraft floated toward the departure end of the runway, the airspeed began to decrease. As the airspeed decreased and the aircraft began to sink, the pilot-in-command called for the co-pilot to add power, which he did. The aircraft then was about to stall, causing the pilot-in-command to take control and initiate a go-around. Control was difficult due to a full nose-up trim. During the attempted go-around, the pilot-in-command called for the flaps to be raised, but the co-pilot first pushed the throttles forward to maximum power as called for in the B-99 Pilots Operating Manual rejected landing checklist before initiating flap retraction. The aircraft then descended into the dirt surface adjacent to the runway.
The co-pilot began his training with the operator about three weeks prior to the accident. At that time, he had accumulated approximately 215 hours of flying time, none of which was in the Beech 99 or other turbo-prop powered aircraft. During his training program, he accumulated 10.6 additional hours, none of which was at night.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot-in-command's delayed remedial action in response to the co-pilot's improper landing flare, and the co-pilot's application of excessive (full nose-up) trim during the landing flare as taught in the operator's initial aircrew training program. Factors include the co-pilot's improper flare and his lack of total experience in this type of aircraft".
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 2 years | Accident number: | SEA99LA003 | Download report: | Summary report
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Classification:
Loss of control
Sources:
» Scramble 235
Photos
accident date:
17-10-1998type: Beechcraft 99
registration: N299GL
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Billings-Logan International Airport, MT to Missoula-Johnson-Bell Field, MT as the crow flies is 440 km (275 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.