Event CHI99LA059

Factual narrative

On January 6, 1999, at 1315 eastern standard time, a Rockwell International 500-S, N50BA, operated by Byerly Aviation, Inc., sustained substantial damage following a loss of control while landing at the Plymouth Municipal Airport, Plymouth, Indiana. The commercial pilot and five passengers were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was being in instrument meteorological conditions on an IFR flight plan. The flight originated from Peoria, Illinois, at 1100 central standard time. The pilot reported that he was given vectors from Air Traffic Control (ATC) for the VOR RWY 28 approach at which time he informed ATC that he had ground contact. He reported that ATC told him to expect to fly over the airport at 3,000 feet. The pilot stated he requested a descent to 2,500 feet which was approved. He reported that once over the airport he made a 360 degree turn and came over the approach end of runway 10. The pilot stated entered a downwind for runway 28 and lowered the landing gear. He stated he turned an additional 10 degrees to the right to allow for more room and time to make the turn onto final approach. He reported he lowered 1/2 flaps on base leg and full flaps while on a 2 1/2 to 3 mile final. The pilot reported that upon touchdown, he kept the nosewheel off the ground because of snow on the runway. He reported, "Moments later I felt the a/c lean to the left then yaw to right, at which time I applied left rudder to maintain directional control. I then felt that I believe the left wing hit the runway followed by a tight left turning ground loop like motion." The airplane and accident site were examined by Inspector's from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), South Bend, Indiana, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). The inspectors reported the airplane came to rest approximately midfield and 20 feet south of the runway on a heading of about 340 degrees. The left main gear separated from the airplane and the nose gear was collapsed. The left main gear tire was found near the edge of the runway in front of the main wreckage. The outer 1/3 of the left wing was bent over the top of the wing. Three witnesses reported the airplane landed to the east (runway 10). One of the witnesses reported the airplane "banked slightly to the north, straightened out and dropped quickly... ." Another of the witnesses reported the airplane "...seemed to be coming in fast by the sound of engines. Also seemed to be fighting wind." The Plymouth Municipal Airport Manager reported that he did not hear the pilot ask for an airport advisory. He did hear the pilot announce that he was landing on runway 28. A few minutes later he heard the airplane on the approach for runway 10. One of the passengers on board the airplane reported, "On landing it appeared we were a little off of being level" and "Upon touchdown we began to spin." Another of the passengers stated during a telephone interview that the pilot flew over the airport at which time a cloud appeared and they momentarily lost sight of the runway. He stated the pilot circled the runway again and entered a "tight turn" then rolled out on final approach. He stated the pilot did not fly the normal landing glidepath. He stated the airplane was lined up with the runway prior to touching down. He was not sure which in direction the airplane landed. He stated that when the airplane touched down it turned made a hard turn to the right which was at least 90 degrees, but possibly more. A NOTAM was issued on January 4, 1999, at 1500 est regarding the runway condition. It reported that braking action was poor, five foot tall plowed snowbanks were at the edge of the runway, and the runway edge lights were inoperative because they were covered with snow. The pilot reported the local winds were from 230 degrees at 5 to 10 knots. The winds reported at South Bend, Indiana, at 1308 est, 25 miles north of Plymouth, were from 250 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot reported he landed on runway 28; however, several witnesses reported the airplane landed on runway 10. Upon touchdown the airplane veered to the right and came to rest approximately 20 feet off the south side of the runway on a heading of about 340 degrees. The pilot reported the local winds were from 230 degrees at 5 to 10 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12