The pilot told investigators he did a visual inspection of the Beech C35’s brakes as part of his preflight inspection and he “saw no leaks or abnormalities.”
Additionally, no discrepancies were noted during a brake check while beginning to taxi or during the engine run-up before takeoff.
He proceeded to his destination and performed a normal landing at the airport in Perry, Georgia.
As the airplane decelerated, it began drifting left. He applied right rudder, then when the rudder input failed to correct the drift, he applied more right rudder and brake, at which time, the airplane immediately turned left.
The airplane traveled off the runway and hit a parked airplane.
Post-accident examination of the flight controls and brake system revealed no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a parked airplane.
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This November 2021 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I worked a few years at a Beechcraft dealership, never had any of the Bonanzas we were involved with were ever in ANY damage incidents, minor or otherwise. In my opinion they were (are) one beautiful light aircraft. Got so tired of hearing terms like “fork tailed doctor killers”.
I have no idea of the Bonanza’s safety record, but I believe it would be comparable to other aircafts in it’s class.
Most dangerous things in the world is North Korea with an atom bomb and a pilot flying a V tail Bonanza.
That’s one v tail that won’t kill its owner..
You broke it–
You Bought it!
Gee, I’m wondering if the pilot inadvertently raised the gear, causing the left gear to collapse, instead of raising the flaps, thereby losing control. The report indicates that the gear lever was returned to the down position by the Inspector during the FAA examination. The C35 has the “piano key” gear and flap controls, instead of the more modern wheel-shaped knob for the gear and tapered flap-shaped knob for flaps, so it’s easy to grab the wrong switch. That there may have been previous brake issues reported seems like a smoke screen, an attempt to justify poor piloting. Yet another argument for leaving the flaps alone until nearly stopped and off the runway.
Yep I think you nailed it. Especially on that model bonanza with the piano keys.
Gee…ya think?
“Post-accident examination of the flight controls and brake system revealed no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction.”
All that, and “Of note, the landing gear handle of N2033D was in the ‘UP’ position, the left main landing gear was collapsed and the control surface continuity appeared normal”.
Read the entire NTSB Docket.
Pilot is a retired FAA Air Safety Inspector…makes you wonder if the “Memorandum for Record” and references to past “left brake” issues are just a smokescreen?
Sounds like this one isn’t pilot error but rather some kind of mechanical failure. His corrective input wasn’t sufficient to overcome other forces. Reminds me of learning to drive on ice with bald tires. Just glad to hear he lived through the ordeal.
Regards/J
Bonanza and Cessna scratch and dent sale!
Lol! Perfect!