LAX98LA155

Factual narrative

On May 12, 1998, at 1100 hours mountain standard time, a Beech A23-24, N6092N, collided with terrain on landing at the Holbrook, Arizona, airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot/owner and passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured. The personal flight originated at the Double Eagle, New Mexico, airport at 0915, and was en route to the Banning, California, airport, with a stop in Holbrook. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 21 and encountered a strong wind gust that turned the aircraft about 15 degrees to the right. He applied power and attempted a go-around, but could not gain altitude or maintain runway direction. The aircraft collided with terrain and continued to slide forward. All three landing gear separated from the aircraft and both wing tips were torn off. The propeller struck the ground and the aircraft came to rest in an upright position approximately 120 degrees from the runway heading. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 210 degrees at a velocity of 18 knots gusting to 23 knots. The pilot was attempting to land when he encountered a strong wind gust that turned the aircraft about 15 degrees to the right. He attempted a go-around, but was unable to gain altitude or maintain directional control. The aircraft collided with terrain and continued to slide forward. All three landing gear separated from the aircraft and both wing tips were torn off. The propeller struck the ground and the aircraft came to rest in an upright position about 120 degrees from the runway heading. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 210 degrees at a velocity of 18 knots gusting to 23 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12