Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper compesnation for wind conditions and failure to maintain firectional control. A factor was adverse wind conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the landing the winds provided to him by the control tower were 'down the runway at seventeen knots.' he used full flaps during the approach to runway 23. He said that the atis reported winds from 270 degrees, gusting to 22 knots. During the touchdown, the airplane started to drift left and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane departed the runway and collided with the soft terrain.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Tuesday, August 3, 1993, at 1632 eastern daylight time, a Beech A55, N30JM, registered to Baron, Ltd., and piloted by Clarence H. Byler, sustained substantial damage during a landing at the Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk, Virginia. The pilot, the safety pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot was conducting a landing on runway 23. He stated that the wind was reported from the tower as "down the runway at seventeen knots." During the approach he elected to use full flaps. He stated that there was a spacing problem with a commercial airplane landing behind him, and he was asked to expedite his approach. After touchdown, the airplane began to swerve to the left and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with the soft terrain. The pilot stated that the Airport Terminal Information Service (ATIS) reported the winds from 270 degrees with gusts to 22 knots. The local weather sequence, recorded 13 minutes after the accident, reported the winds from 210 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 23 knots. Mr. E. E. Roberts, Operations Safety Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, conducted an on-site examination of the wreckage and an interview with the pilot. In his report, Mr. Roberts stated: The pilot reported that he experienced windshear as he was touching down which caused a sideload on the nose gear. The nose gear collapsed and the aircraft veered off the runway. -