Pilot Debrief

BEECH B19 near Dexter, ME — 2015-08-29

Final reportERA15LA334
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Date
2015-08-29
Location
Dexter, ME, USA
Airport
1B0
Aircraft
BEECH B19
Registration
N2013G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot and flight instructor had flown for about 30 minutes before landing and conducting a subsequent takeoff. The instructor stated that, during the initial climb, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. He conducted a forced landing to a field during which the airplane impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall, fuselage, and left wing. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. The flight instructor calculated that the total distance required to clear a 50-ft obstacle during the takeoff was 1,300 ft; however, postaccident calculations based on performance data in the airplane's flight manual indicated a required takeoff distance of about 1,700 ft. Given that there were 30-ft-tall trees located 50 ft beyond the departure end of the 1,250-ft-long turf runway, it is likely that the airplane had insufficient distance available for takeoff and initial climb to clear the trees.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted takeoff after initial power drop.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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