Incident Overview

Description
A twin-engine Beechcraft 200 Super King Air turbo-prop powered airplane, N648KA, was destroyed when it impacted trees following a loss of control during takeoff from the Rancho Buena Vista Airport (TS94), near Bay View, Texas. The airline transport pilot and five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the on-demand air charter flight. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Houston, Texas. While attempting to depart from the 3,500-foot long grass airstrip with a 14 knot quartering tailwind, the 5,800-hour pilot reported that at an airspeed of approximately 95 knots, “the airplane yawed left and rolled left abruptly as the aircraft came off the ground briefly.” The airplane settled back onto the ground, before again climbing back into the air approximately 20 degrees left of the runway heading. Subsequently, the airplanes landing gear struck tree tops before it impacted the ground. A passenger added that he “noticed the flaps were up during takeoff.” Approximately three minutes after the accident, a weather reporting station located 5.6 nautical miles southwest of the accident site reported wind from 010 degrees at 14 knots. Examination of the engines revealed rotational scoring throughout the first and second stage turbines. No mechanical anomalies were observed. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control as result of his improper runway selection for takeoff. A contributing factor was the prevailing right quartering tailwind.”
Primary Cause
Pilot’s failure to maintain directional control due to improper runway selection for takeoff, exacerbated by a right-quartering tailwind.Pilot’s failure to maintain directional control due to improper runway selection for takeoff, exacerbated by a right-quartering tailwind.Share on: