Beech F33A accident near White Swan, Washington, August 19, 1999
On August 19, 1999 at about 6:45 pm local time, a Beech F33A, registered N2291L, was substantially damaged in an accident near White Swan, Washington (Labbee airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Inadequate preflight planning/preparation and low airspeed. A dirt embankment, soft runway, and an excessive takeoff weight were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 1999 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- White Swan, Washington · Labbee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech F33A · all F33As on the register
- Registration
- N2291L · no longer on the register · serial CE-674
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that when he and his passengers arrived at the airstrip, sprinklers were still on the southern half of the airstrip. The pilot had some workers remove the sprinklers while he and his passengers drove to a field to inspect a crop. About 15 minutes later, the pilot returned to the airstrip. The pilot reported that normally he would have driven down the grass strip to check its condition, however, on this day he did not. After the normal pre-flight inspections were complete, the occupants boarded the aircraft. The pilot prepared for the short field takeoff by extending the flaps to 10 degrees, applying power and holding the brakes. The pilot then released the brakes and began the takeoff ground roll from the southern end. The pilot stated that at the beginning of the roll, he noted some soft spots, but did not think it unusual. It wasn't until about 70 percent of the airstrip was used, did the pilot realize that the aircraft was not accelerating fast enough. The aircraft finally became airborne about 150 feet from the end of the airstrip. The airspeed was slow and the stall warning horn was sounding. The pilot held the aircraft level and retracted the landing gear in an effort to clear the four foot high embankment located about 71 feet from the end of the airstrip. The aircraft did not gain the airspeed or altitude necessary to clear the embankment. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. Post-crash investigation revealed that the aircraft was over gross takeoff weight at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he did not calculate a weight and balance prior to takeoff.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,300 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,905 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 26, 1999; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: Othello WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 2,200 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 pm from YKM, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
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.