Mettel Field Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Connersville, Indiana 47331
Friday, November 11, 2011 14:40 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

With the assistance of a safety pilot, the pilot was flying practice instrument approaches in simulated instrument meteorological conditions. During the second approach, the safety pilot reduced the right engine power to simulate single engine conditions. After raising the hood, the pilot entered the landing flare and reduced the left engine power to idle, at which time the airplane yawed to the left 30 degrees and touched down in the grass. The pilot attempted to straighten the airplaneā€™s path, but was unable to do so before impacting trees. The leading edge of both wings sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 11/11/2011
Event Day of the Week Friday
Time of Event 1440
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Connersville
Event State INDIANA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 47331
Event Date Year 2011
Event Date Month 11
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 394153N
Event Location Longitude 0850752W
Event Location Airport Mettel Field Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID KCEV
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 1
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 866
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1453 Eastern Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID KGEZ
Elevation of weather observation facility --
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation EST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 8
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -3
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 190
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 11
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.98
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report METAR KGEZ 111953Z AUTO 19011KT 10SM CLR 08/M03 A2
Event Highest Injury Minor
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 2
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 29396
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 31 2012 11:35AM
User who most recently changed record johb
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N6685S
NTSB Number CEN12CA062
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed Company VFR
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name BEECH
Aircraft Model 58
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number TH-718
Certified Max Gross Weight 5400
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 6
Number of Engines 2
Fixed gear or retractable gear Retractable
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Continuous Airworthiness
Date of Last Inspection Feb 24 2011 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 11680
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name SKY CASTLE AVIATION LLC
Aircraft Owner Street Address 2912 E COUNTY ROAD 400 S
Aircraft Owner City NEW CASTLE
Aircraft Owner State IN
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 47362-9425
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name SKY CASTLE AVIATION LLC
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address 2912 E COUNTY ROAD 400 S
Operator City NEW CASTLE
Operator State IN
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 47362-9425
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Instructional
Second Pilot on Board Yes
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code --
Departure City New Castle
Departure State IN
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1410
Departure Time Zone EST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City New Castle
Destination State IN
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Dec 1 2011 4:25PM
User who most recently changed record kaij
Since inspection or accident Last Inspection
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --