Synopsis
On February 25, 2012, at about 0525 Pacific standard time, a Beech S35, registration N272D, collided with terrain during takeoff from Dixie Valley Airport (NV30) near Fallon, Nevada. The aircraft was operated as an on-demand air taxi flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 by Danny Lee Urquhart, doing business as Dan Urquhart. The airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and both wings.
Flight History
The flight departed Dixie Valley Airport at about 0524, with a planned destination of Fallon Municipal Airport (KFLX). Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The purpose of the flight was to return two passengers employed at a geothermal power plant located 1.5 miles west of the airport.
Earlier that morning, the pilot had flown into Dixie Valley Airport with two passengers for the power plant. During the approach to runway 34, he encountered moderate turbulence and elected to discontinue the landing, maneuvering for an approach to runway 16 instead. He landed uneventfully and deplaned with the passengers, then drove to the power plant to pick up the two passengers for the return flight.
After returning to the airplane, the pilot performed an engine ground run-up and positioned for departure on runway 16. The windsock indicated a 90-degree right crosswind for runway 16, with velocity estimated gusting to about 14 knots. The ground roll was uneventful. Just after rotation, the pilot observed the windsock shift to a tailwind and felt the airplane sinking. Believing that ground effect would allow him to regain airspeed, he continued. Shortly thereafter, the propeller blades struck the ground, and the airplane slid to a halt in dirt, coming to rest about 2,400 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.
Witness Account
One passenger corroborated the pilot's account. He stated that after boarding, he laid his head back and closed his eyes to rest during the taxi and takeoff roll. The airplane accelerated normally with no unusual noises. Shortly after takeoff, he felt the airplane sink and felt lighter, but was not concerned as this had occurred on prior flights. A few seconds later, the airplane struck the ground, bounced, and landed hard.
Weather Information
The pilot filed a round-robin flight plan from Fallon to Dixie Valley, activated during the inbound flight. About 50 minutes before departing Fallon, he checked weather using an online computer service. He then called the Fallon Naval Air Station automated weather observation system and the power plant about 35 minutes later; the power plant reported wind of about 6 knots. The pilot noted that these were established weather briefing procedures and that calling the power plant was necessary because un-forecast fog was common in the area. He stated that due to the plant's position relative to the foothills, wind conditions often did not reflect those at the runway.
An in-flight weather briefing from Lockheed Martin Flight Service lasted about 2 minutes, during which the pilot was notified of moderate turbulence and an AIRMET for low-level wind shear. The pilot responded that he was aware of the conditions.
A weather observation station at Fallon Naval Air Station, 60 miles southwest of the accident site, recorded a METAR at 0456: wind from 290 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots; visibility 10 miles; skies clear; temperature 8 degrees C; dew point minus 17 degrees C; altimeter 30.02 inches of mercury. The station also reported a peak wind of 30 knots out of the west at 0412.
Aircraft Information
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.