Pilot Debrief

BEECH 95-B55 (T42A) near Clarion, IA — 2010-10-21

Final reportCEN11FA040
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Date
2010-10-21
Location
Clarion, IA, USA
Airport
CAV
Aircraft
BEECH 95-B55 (T42A)
Registration
N784CB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the loss of left engine power for undetermined reasons.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the loss of left engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

A witness reported seeing the airplane suddenly enter a counterclockwise spinning dive toward the ground, make about four revolutions, and then impact the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed significant damage to the cockpit area, including the instrument panel and the area containing the engine controls. The left engine magneto switch was found positioned so that only one magneto of the dual magneto ignition system was active, the left propeller control was in an aft position, and the fuel flow indicator for the left engine showed no fuel flow. The most recent annual inspection of the airplane was performed more than 3 years before the accident; however, no preimpact anomalies were found during the postaccident examinations. Based on the counterclockwise rotation of the airplane, and the position of the engine levers, the pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane following an undetermined anomaly with the left engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the maneuver that led to the spinning dive.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents19

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