Beechcraft 56 N12WB

Summary

On 22 November 2015 at about 23:30 local time, a Beechcraft 56 registered N12WB was involved in an accident near Hudson, Colorado, United States. 6 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 November 2015 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hudson, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Platte Valley Airpark (18V)

Coordinates

40.1042, -104.7019

Aircraft

Beechcraft 56

Registration

N12WB

Category

Airplane

Year built

1969

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hudson → Des Moines

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

GAA16CA060

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of the open cabin door.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that prior to the takeoff roll, his son, who was positioned in the front right seat, had difficulty shutting and locking the cabin door. The pilot reported that he reached over and ensured the door was locked. The pilot reported that shortly after liftoff the cabin door came open. He maneuvered the airplane to stay in the traffic pattern and return to land. He reported that while on final he did not have any rudder authority and was unable to keep directional control. The pilot reported that prior to the initial impact he lost sight of the runway when the airplane pitched up and rolled left simultaneously. Subsequently the left wing impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.