On July 3, 1993, a Beech 95-B55B (registration N258P) operated by Pruet, Chesley was involved in an aviation accident near Ashdown, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a wet grass surface, which led to a ground loop and subsequent collapse of the landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost braking effectiveness on a wet grass airstrip, initiating a ground loop to avoid a fence. The maneuver caused the landing gear to collapse, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.
What happened
The pilot reported experiencing no braking action after touching down on a 2,500-foot wet grass airstrip. As the aircraft continued to slide forward along the runway surface, the pilot initiated a ground loop maneuver. This action was taken specifically to avoid driving through a fence located at the end of the strip.
During the execution of this evasive turn, both the left main landing gear and the nose landing gear collapsed. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a wet grass surface, which led to a ground loop and subsequent collapse of the landing gear.