On November 8, 1994, a Beech 58P (registration N180PB) was involved in an aviation accident near Great Falls, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane collided with terrain after a low-altitude left turn post-takeoff. A garment bag fell near the runway. Examination revealed a nose baggage door latches found locked but could be locked without closing.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after lift-off, the pilot communicated to the tower his intention to return for landing. The tower controller observed the airplane executing a standard rate left turn at approximately 50 feet above ground level with a slow airspeed. During the turn, the nose of the airplane suddenly dropped, and the airplane collided with level open terrain.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported seeing an object fall from the airplane near the end of the runway. This object was later identified as a garment bag.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that both cabin doors were secured and locked. The nose baggage door had been consumed by fire. Both latches of the nose baggage door were found on the ground beneath the airplane's nose. The internal locking mechanism of these latches was in the locked position. Investigators noted that the latches can be locked without the door being completely closed.
What happened in the 8 Nov 1994 Beech 58P accident near Great Falls, MT?
An airplane collided with terrain after a low-altitude left turn post-takeoff. A garment bag fell near the runway. Examination revealed a nose baggage door latches found locked but could be locked without closing.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Nov 1994 involved a Beech 58P, registration N180PB, at Great Falls, MT.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…