NTSB Factual Report

On February 20, 2006, about 1435, central standard time, a single-engine Beech V35 airplane, N510LM, was substantially damaged following an inflight encounter with weather and a subsequent loss of control during an instrument approach to the Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF), near San Antonio Texas. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the operator. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The cross-country flight originated from El Paso International Airport (ELP), near El Paso, Texas, en route to SSF, approximately 1200.

The 3,000-hour commercial pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), that as he was approaching SSF, Air Traffic Control cleared him to the "VOR and hold as published" in the Instrument Approach Procedures for the VOR or GPS Runway 32 Approach. During the outbound leg of the published hold, he was cleared to descend to 2,000 feet, and for the approach to runway 32. During the approach, the pilot extended the landing gear and slowed the airplane to 90-knots. The pilot reported that he expected a circling approach to runway 14, since he heard the control tower clear another airplane for departure on runway 14. The pilot also reported that the tower reported the the winds as calm; however, he was required to "crab 25-30 degrees" in order to stay on course.

After the airplane descended below the clouds, the pilot reported that he had the airport in sight and proceeded towards the runway. The pilot then stated that "all of a sudden, in seconds, the right wing went up, and the left wing went down, and I applied power but could not climb." The airplane, with the landing gear extended, subsequently impacted the ground in an open field just south of the airport. The pilot elected to reduce power and stay on the ground, instead of attempting to regain altitude due to the risk of flying into trees on the approach to the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted trees and came to rest just off the edge of the field.

In a subsequent telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator in charge (IIC), the pilot reported he thought he had hit a downdraft, and reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported the aircraft came to rest on its fuselage in an upright position with the nose of the aircraft pointing down. Additionally, he noted that the right wing was heavily damaged.

An inspection on the engine was conducted on March 2, 2006, under the supervision of the NTSB IIC. No abnormalities were found that would have prevented normal operation.

At 1453, the automated weather observing system at SSF, reported wind from 040 degrees at 3 knots, 4 statute miles visibility, mist, overcast clouds at 500 feet, temperature 46 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 43 degrees Fahrenheit, and a altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's loss of control while on approach to the runway. Contributing factors were the downdraft and the lack of suitable terrain for the off-airport landing.