Pilot Debrief

BEECH B 55 near Statesville, NC — 2017-11-17

Final reportERA18LA038
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Date
2017-11-17
Location
Statesville, NC, USA
Airport
SVH
Aircraft
BEECH B 55
Registration
N592SS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A total loss of left engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following the loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a flight review with a flight instructor in the multiengine airplane when, during the initial climb following a touch-and-go landing, the airplane yawed to the left. The pilot noticed a change in engine sound and the airplane began to descend. The airplane bounced on the runway and collided with a ditch before skidding to a stop on the edge of the taxiway. The fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident. A postaccident examination and test run of the left engine revealed that it was capable of producing full power; however, when rapidly moving the throttle from idle to full power, a total loss of engine power would occur. The engine's timing was off by 3° from that specified by the engine data plate; testing of the fuel control revealed an excessively-rich mixture setting at lower power settings; and fuel was observed leaking from the fuel pump. It could not be determined which of these discrepancies, or combination thereof, contributed to the loss of engine power. Given this information, it is likely that the left engine lost power as the airplane transitioned to climb following the touch-and-go landing. The pilot then lost control of the airplane as it descended, bounced onto, and subsequently departed the runway.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Proper adjustment of the left engine fuel system before release to service.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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