# NTSB ANC91LA016: Beech BE-77, N3809Y, Fairbanks, AK, December 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1990, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.670166, -147.040924 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.6702&lon=-147.0409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA016

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PERFORM THE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A TOW BAR DURING INITIAL TAXI.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - other
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS STARTING TO TAXI TO THE RUNWAY AND AT THAT POINT THE NOSE WHEEL TOW BAR WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE NOSE GEAR. THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE TOW BAR CAUSING THE TOW BAR TO STRIKE THE LEFT WING. THE LEFT WING WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3809Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3809Y), registered now, S/N WA-212, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-77
- Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: WA-212
- Airframe hours: 3441
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: U.S. Air Force, doing business as Eielson Afb Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 12, 1990, 5 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EIL, Eielson Afb

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 364 total, 67 in this make and model, 329 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -15 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19901209057909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901209057909A), Dec 9, 1990: Beech 77, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Taxied without removing tow bar in nose gear. Prop hit tow bar and hurled it into left wing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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