Beech E33A accident near Westminster, Maryland, November 19, 1997
On November 19, 1997 at about 6:55 pm local time, a Beech E33A, registered N7027N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Westminster, Maryland (Clearview airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, his misjudgment of speed and distance while on final approach to land, and his delay in aborting the landing after failing to attain a proper touchdown point for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 19, 1997 · about 6:55 pm local time
- Place
- Westminster, Maryland · Clearview · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech E33A · all E33As on the register
- Registration
- N7027N · registry record · serial CE186
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot flew his airplane on a 30 minute flight from one airport to another. A witness observed the airplane touch down 'fast' about mid-field, on the 1,845 foot long runway. The engine was heard to power up when the airplane was about 200 feet from the departure end of the runway. The airplane then struck trees about 450 feet beyond the end of the runway. Winds at the airport were estimated to be from the northwest at 10 gusting 20 knots. The terrain at the departure end of the runway sloped down, and the tree tops were at the runway elevation. The pilot did not recall the accident; however, when asked why he landed downwind on runway 13, he stated, 'It's normal to land uphill.'
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 5,000 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 8,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,000 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 17, 1997; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HGR Hagarstown MD at 6:30 pm
- Destination: 2W2
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 1,845 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from BWI, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.