FTW99LA047

Factual narrative

On December 14, 1998, approximately 1400 central standard time, a Cessna 337 multi-engine airplane, N536RK, was destroyed during a post impact fire following impact with the ground while attempting a go-around maneuver on runway 33 at the Angelina County Airport, Lufkin, Texas. Both occupants, the pilot-in-command [private pilot certificate] and a pilot rated passenger [private pilot certificate], received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot-in-command. The flight originated from Conroe, Texas, about 1330. The pilot-in-command provided the NTSB investigator-in-charge with a written statement which outlined the flight events prior to and during the accident. He stated that earlier in the day [about 1115], he flew the airplane to Conroe, Texas, to have maintenance performed. After minor airframe maintenance was completed, he picked up his pilot rated passenger, and flew an uneventful VFR flight back to Lufkin. Upon entering the local landing pattern for runway 33, the pilot received airport advisory information stating that the winds were from 010 degrees at 6 knots. On final approach to land, he noted that he flared the aircraft "late", and the aircraft contacted the runway in a "level attitude" which resulted in a "hard landing and bounce". The aircraft "bounced" a second time, and the pilot noted that the bounce was "really high", with the aircraft drifting to the left. After the airplane bounced a third time, the pilot called for a "go-around", and "fire-walled everything". The pilot then noted that when he "pushed the entire power quadrant forward", the airplane immediately entered a severe left turn with full left yoke deflection, which [he] could not reverse". At this point, the airplane was in a steep left turn, heading 90 degrees left of the runway heading, towards hangars. The pilot then "pulled the nose up to try [to] get over the hangars, and the airplane probably stalled". The airplane then impacted the ground left wing down and slid between two hangars. A fire erupted as both occupants exited the aircraft. The airplane was consumed by the post impact fire. The multi-engine airplane was destroyed during a post impact fire following impact with the ground while attempting a go-around maneuver after a bounced landing. On final approach to land, the pilot noted that he flared the aircraft 'late', and the aircraft contacted the runway in a 'level attitude' which resulted in a 'hard landing and bounce'. The aircraft 'bounced' a second time, and the pilot noted that the bounce was 'really high', with the aircraft drifting to the left. After the airplane bounced a third time, the pilot called for a 'go-around', and 'fire-walled everything'. The pilot then noted that when he 'pushed the entire power quadrant forward', the airplane immediately entered a severe left turn with full left yoke deflection, which [he] could not reverse'. At this point, the airplane was in a steep left turn, heading 90 degrees left of the runway heading, towards hangars. The pilot then 'pulled the nose up to try [to] get over the hangars, and the airplane probably stalled'. The airplane then impacted the ground left wing down and slid between two hangars. A fire erupted as both occupants exited the aircraft. The airplane was consumed by the post impact fire. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12