Casualties unknown

Unrated Passenger Applies Full Throttle During Porpoising Landing, Causing Crash (N9048Q)

EL Reno, OK, US

On August 5, 1987, a Beech V35B (registration N9048Q) operated by H & H Ind. OF Oklahoma was involved in an aviation accident near EL Reno, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a bounced landing, which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft bounced on touchdown and began porpoising down the runway. The right front seat passenger, who was not a rated pilot, applied full throttle, causing the plane to veer into a fence and nose over.

What happened

The aircraft experienced a hard bounce upon initial touchdown and subsequently began porpoising along the runway surface. During this unstable descent, the right front seat passenger, who was not a rated pilot, applied full throttle. This action caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the left, resulting in a collision with a fence.

The investigation

Following the impact with the fence, the nose gear collapsed as it dug into soft, plowed dirt. The aircraft then nosed over and skidded to a stop in an inverted position.

Findings

The sequence of events was initiated by the bounce on touchdown. The critical factor leading to the loss of directional control and subsequent crash was the unauthorized application of full throttle by the right front seat passenger, who lacked the necessary pilot ratings.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a bounced landing, which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway. Contributing factors included the porpoising motion and the right front seat passenger's application of full throttle despite not being a rated pilot.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31808. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.