Pilot Debrief

Beech 50 near Riverside, CA — 2019-03-16

Final reportWPR19FA096
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Date
2019-03-16
Location
Riverside, CA, USA
Airport
RAL
Aircraft
Beech 50
Registration
N800DC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and control of the airplane following a loss of right engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the multiengine airplane departed on a personal flight. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported first an electrical problem, followed by control problems, before reporting a loss of right engine power. Despite the controller providing vectors back to the departure airport multiple times, the pilot continued off course as the airplane descended from about 3,400 ft mean sea level (msl) to about 1,200 ft msl at ground speeds between 85 and 89 knots before radar contact was lost. The airplane impacted the backyard of a residence. Witnesses saw the airplane flying low before it entered a spiraling, nose-low descent that continued until impact. Examination of the airframe and both engines found no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the flight control surfaces, and damage to the propeller blades from both engines was consistent with some power development at the time of impact. Engine control positions for the propellers and throttles were in the mid-range and the mixtures were in the rich position indicating that the pilot did not secure an inoperative engine for single-engine fight. Based on the wreckage examination, the reason for the pilot’s reported electrical and control anomalies and the reported loss of right engine power could not be determined. The airplane’s gradual descent during the flight, followed by the nose-low spiral to ground impact, are consistent with the pilot not following single-engine procedures by adding power to maintain altitude and airspeed, securing the dead-engine, and maintaining a minimum safe single-engine speed above 90 mph (78 knots).

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have returned to the departure airport after reporting engine issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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