Board Indicates Pilot Reported Shifting Winds During The Night VFR Departure

The pilot of A Beech S35 Bonanza operating as an air taxi service bent his airplane, but he and his passengers were able to walk away from a departure accident which occurred February 25th in Fallon, NV. The pilot told the NTSB that he had begun his departure in a 90 degree crosswind, but it shifted to a tailwind as he attempted to climb out with two other people on board. The airplane eventually came to rest a little less than a half mile beyond the departure end of the runway.

NTSB Identification: WPR12LA116
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Saturday, February 25, 2012 in Fallon, NV
Aircraft: BEECH S35, registration: N272D
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On February 25, 2012, about 0525 Pacific standard time, a Beech S35, N272D, collided with terrain during takeoff from Dixie Valley Airport (NV30), Fallon, Nevada. Dan Urquhart (DBA) was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an on-demand air taxi flight. The airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and both wings during the accident sequence. The cross-country flight departed Dixie Valley about 0524, with a planned destination of Fallon Municipal Airport (KFLX), Fallon. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed.

The airport was located on a plain, which was flanked to the northwest by steep mountainous terrain. The pilot reported that he typically lands on runway 34, and departs from runway 16, due to the runway location. The purpose of the flight was to pickup two passengers who were employed at the geothermal power plant, located in the foothills, 1.5 miles west of the airport.

The pilot had just arrived at Dixie Valley about 30 minutes prior to the accident to drop off two passengers. Prior to landing, he overflew the airport to assess the wind conditions. He began an approach to runway 34, and encountered turbulence during the descent. As such, he elected to cancel the approach and attempt a landing on runway 16. He landed uneventfully, the passengers departed, and the two new passengers boarded.

The pilot checked the windsock, and decided to depart from runway 16, with a 90-degree crosswind. He estimated the wind was gusting to about 16 knots during the ground roll, and just after rotation, he observed the windsock shift to a tailwind. He then felt the sensation of a wind shear, and the airplane began to sink. The pilot was confident that once the airplane descended low enough to be influenced by ground-effect conditions, he would be able to regain enough airspeed to begin an ascent. Shortly thereafter, the propeller blades struck the ground, and the airplane slid to a halt in the dirt. The airplane came to rest about 2,400 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. (File image S35 Bonanza with tip tanks)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov