1989-06-21: Piper PA-23-250 — Bemidji Aviation Service, Inc. — Bemidji, MN

Casualties unknown • Bemidji, MN, US

Probable cause

THE CONTINUED APPROACH AND LANDING BY THE PILOT IN KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DITCH.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND, A LINE OF DARK CLOUDS WAS NEXT TO THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RUNWAY 31. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED HEAVY RAIN AND TURBULENCE. INITIALLY, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND, THEN DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE LANDING. DURING THE LANDING, STRONG/GUSTY WINDS WERE ENCOUNTERED AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE ADJACENT GRASS AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT CROSSED A DITCH AND CAME TO REST ON A PUBLIC ROAD.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-06-21 Piper PA-23-250 accident near Bemidji, MN?

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND, A LINE OF DARK CLOUDS WAS NEXT TO THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RUNWAY 31. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED HEAVY RAIN AND TURBULENCE. INITIALLY, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND, THEN DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE LANDING. DURING THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-06-21 involved a Piper PA-23-250, registration N6513Y, operated by Bemidji Aviation Service, Inc., at Bemidji, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE CONTINUED APPROACH AND LANDING BY THE PILOT IN KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DITCH.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28641. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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