Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

St. Barthelemy
Friday, December 31, 1999 10:55 EST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

On December 31, 1999, at about 1055 Atlantic standard time, a Beech 99A, N491BB, registered to Alberta Aircraft Leasing Inc., operated by Bohlke International Airways, as a 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi, experienced a collapse of the main landing gear on landing at St. Barthelemy, (TFFJ) French Antilles. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport-rated pilot, copilot, and seven passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from St. Croix, (STX) Virgin Islands, about 55 minutes before the accident. The accident was initially reported to the NTSB on January 5, 2000, by the FBI. The pilot stated they departed STX at about 1000. They had to make a 360-degree turn upon arrival at TFFJ due to other arriving traffic. They completed the descent arrival checklist and turned an 8- mile final. At a 1 1/2-mile final the flaps were lowered to the full down position, the propellers were set at 2,000 rpm, airspeed 95 knots, and all three landing gear lights were illuminated. On touchdown the airplane yawed to the left. Right rudder and aileron was applied with negative results. Power was increased and the airplane continued to yaw to the left. The airplane went off the left side of the runway and ground looped, separating the right main landing gear. The airplane came to a complete stop on its fuselage with the nose gear extended. They returned to the airplane on January 3, 2000. The airplane was lifted with a forklift and the left main landing gear was observed in the retracted position. A commuter pilot informed them that he observed the landing on the day of the accident. He stated he observed the left main landing gear moving forward and backwards. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the French government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains information obtained for or released by the French government. For additional information contact: District Aeronautique de Guadeloupe B.P. 460 97159 Aerodrome de Pointe Apitre Le Raizet Telephone: 011-596-55-60-00

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

Not Yet Reported

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 12/31/1999
Event Day of the Week Friday
Time of Event 1055
Event Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Event City ST. BARTHELEMY
Event State --
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site --
Event Date Year 1999
Event Date Month 12
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude --
Event Location Longitude --
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport --
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1055
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID TFF
Elevation of weather observation facility 0
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation
Lighting Conditions Not Reported
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 0
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 22
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 80
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 20
Wind Velocity Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust (knots) 24
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation Unknown
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries 0
On Ground, Minor Injuries 0
On Ground, Serious Injuries 0
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 9
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 0
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date Jan 5 2000 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1230
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information
Date of most recent change to record May 6 2002 4:26PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\HAMG
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N491BB
NTSB Number MIA00WA062
Missing Aircraft Indicator N
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire Unknown
Aircraft Explosion Unknown
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Beech
Aircraft Model 99A
Aircraft Series Identifier 99A
Aircraft Serial Number
Certified Max Gross Weight --
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class Unknown
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft --
Number of Engines --
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Unknown
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed Unknown
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name
Aircraft Owner Street Address
Aircraft Owner City
Aircraft Owner State
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address RR2 HENRY ROLSTEN AIRPORT
Operator City ST CROIX
Operator State OF
Operator Country
Operator Zip code 00000
Operator Code FISA
Owner has at least one certificate Yes - certificate holder
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation Unknown
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not Non-scheduled
Indicates Domestic or International Flight International
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail Passenger Only
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Unknown
Second Pilot on Board Unknown
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code STX
Departure City ST. CROIX
Departure State OF
Departure Country
Departure Time 0
Departure Time Zone
Destination Same as Local Flt crash at destination city
Destination Airport Code TFFJ
Destination City
Destination State
Destination Country
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record May 6 2002 4:26PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\HAMG
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 0
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --