Accident Details
On July 23, 2017, at approximately 2230 central daylight time, a Beech G35, registration N4216D, sustained substantial damage when it struck an irrigation canal beyond the departure end of runway 13 at Wichita Valley Airport (F14) in Wichita Falls, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight without a flight plan. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was seriously injured. The local flight had originated from Grand Prairie Municipal Airport (GPM) in Texas around 2130.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot's accident report, he departed GPM about 2130 and received flight following and a clearance into Class B airspace. The flight proceeded normally until he entered the downwind leg for runway 13 at F14. He noted scattered thunderstorms ahead. On final approach, he believed the airplane was too high and considered executing a go-around. He felt a strong downdraft and encountered heavy rain and turbulence. He also observed several lightning strikes ahead. The pilot decided to land, accepting the risk of running off the end of the runway rather than possibly entering the thunderstorm. He stated that he did not realize there were 6-foot-tall berms on either side of a drainage ditch 50 to 60 feet from the end of the runway because tall weeds obscured them. Standing water was present on the second half of the runway. The airplane went off the end of the runway and struck the first berm. The impact rendered the pilot unconscious. When he regained consciousness minutes later, the airplane was in a drainage ditch, and water had filled the cockpit. He remained in the airplane until daylight, then extricated himself and walked to a nearby house, where he called 9-1-1.
Aircraft Damage
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the airplane and reported substantial damage to the forward fuselage and firewall.
Weather Conditions
Weather observations recorded at Sheppard Air Force Base/Wichita Falls Municipal Airport (SPS), located 7 miles east of F14, reported winds varying from 060° to 360° at 16 to 20 knots, gusting from 21 to 29 knots, with a peak wind of 35 knots. There was a thunderstorm in the vicinity, with lightning observed in all quadrants.