Beech 95-A55 accident near North Las Vegas, Nevada, June 29, 2021
On June 29, 2021 at about 3:20 pm local time, a 1962 Beech 95-A55, registered N764SU, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near North Las Vegas, Nevada (North Las Vegas airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during landing roll due to a flat tire.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2021 · about 3:20 pm local time
- Place
- North Las Vegas, Nevada · North Las Vegas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 95-A55, built 1962 · all 95-A55s on the register
- Registration
- N764SU · no longer on the register · serial TC-356
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor of the multi-engine, retractable landing gear airplane reported that, shortly after touchdown, with the pilot receiving instruction at the flight controls, the pilot was simulating max braking, the airplane began to veer left. He announced, “easy on brakes and back on center line.” The airplane continued to veer left, he started to apply right pressure and stated, “my controls off off off.” He heard a sound similar to a flat tire, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The pilot receiving instruction reported that when the airplane touched down, it immediately began to veer left. Despite multiple control inputs, the airplane continued to veer left. The flight instructor assumed the flight controls and continued to apply max right rudder. The left main landing gear began to chatter, then collapsed, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a large flat spot on the left main tire casing along with a large hole in the tire and tube. The left main landing gear actuator arm was found bent. It’s likely that during the landing roll, as a result of a side load imposed on the left main landing gear, the landing gear actuator arm was able to bend, which allowed for the landing gear to become unlocked and subsequently collapse. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron and left wing. The flight instructor and pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, other than the flat tire.
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
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Tire casing › Failure
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,286 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 115 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 1,176 as pilot in command; 905 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 13, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 331 hours in all; 11 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 266 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 28, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,198.7 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 9, 2021; 30.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,880 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental Motors IO-470 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental Motors IO-470 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Ace Of Spades Aviation LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12R, 5,001 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 am from KVGT
Weather report (METAR): KVGT 291453Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 34/06 A2980 RMK AO2 SLP073 T03440061 53015 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on August 20, 2021. 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 - Flight Instructor | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Statement from the Pilot Receiving Instruction | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Email from Pilot Receiving Instruction | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Mechanic Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.