Beech C-99 accident near Lansing, Michigan, August 15, 2023
On August 15, 2023 at about 12:05 pm local time, a 1983 Beech C-99, registered N261SW, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lansing, Michigan (Captial Regional International airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to properly set the rudder trim position which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate checklist procedures prior to takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 2023 · about 12:05 pm local time · cases in 2023
- Place
- Lansing, Michigan · Captial Regional International · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beech C-99, built 1983 · all C-99s on the register
- Registration
- N261SW · no longer on the register · serial U-202
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after a normal start and taxi, the airplane was cleared for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted right and the pilot corrected with the left rudder. When the airplane reached 100 knots, he rotated the airplane, and about 30 feet in altitude, the airplane experienced a roll to the right. The pilot tried to correct the roll with left rudder but was unable to provide sufficient left rudder. At this point, the airplane had drifted to the right of the runway and over the adjacent parallel taxiway. He was able to regain partial control by reducing engine power and banking the airplane to the left. The pilot attempted to land on the taxiway but was unable to judge his height above ground due to the low visibility, and subsequently impacted terrain to the right of the taxiway. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Prior to exiting the airplane, the pilot noted that the rudder trim was set to the full nose-right position. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Prior to the accident, maintenance was completed that consisted of an “Event II & Routine” inspection. The inspection procedure required the rudder trim system to be lubricated, a trim tab free play inspection, and an operational check prior to returning the airplane to service. Review of the maintenance procedures revealed there was no guidance on returning the rudder trim control system back to a neutral position at completion of the inspection.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder tab control system › Incorrect use/operation other cases naming the flight controls
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
- Organizational issues › Management › Policy/procedure › Adequacy of policy/proc › Operator
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › Return to service › Related maintenance info
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,218 hours in all; 26 in this make and model; 66 in the last 90 days; 26 in the last 30 days; 397 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 4, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 27,642.9 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, August 14, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 11,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-36 (turboprop); 27,162 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-36 (turboprop); 31,804 hours total
- Operator: Ameriflight, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: LAN Lansing MI at 12:00 pm
- Destination: KPLN Pellston MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 10R, 8,506 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 18 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 0.8 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,900 ft; scat at 1,100 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 8:26 am from KLAN, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLAN 151226Z 04018G27KT 1 3/4SM R28L/6000VP6000FT +RA BR SCT011 BKN039 OVC080 17/15 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 05027/1225 P0008 T01670150=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 9, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | BE-99C Normal Procedures Checklist | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N261SW: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Beechcraft C-99 54 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Beechcraft 6 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-36 2,218 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-36 2,218 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Capital Region International · nearest airport
- Pellston Rgnl/Emmet County · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Michigan 2,107 since 1982 · 230 in the last ten years
- Michigan 7,224 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN23LA363.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.