ATL02FA017

The pilot departed Montgomery, Alabama, on an IFR flight plan with a 700 feet overcast ceiling. Shortly after takeoff the pilot informed the controller, "we are coming back for a minute." The pilot did not state why. The controller asked the pilot to say his request. The pilot stated, "uh I'm going to circle to the left or right either one and land again." The controller instructed the pilot to circle to the right and asked him if he had the airport in sight and if he would like vectors to the ILS. The pilot replied, "no we'll go to the right." There was no other recorded radio communication with the pilot. Review of radar data revealed the airplane was last observed at 800 feet with a decrease in groundspeed. Examination of the crash site revealed the airplane collided with the terrain in a vertical descent in a slight right turn. There was no evidence of a crash debris line at the crash site. The lower surface of the wing skin displayed evidence of upward compression. There was no evidence of a pre-crash mechanical failure of the airframe, flight controls, engine assemblies or propellers.

History of flight

On December 12, 2001, at about 1610 Central Standard Time, a Beech BE-55, N99DC, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, crashed after takeoff from Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field) in the vicinity of Montgomery, Alabama. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed. The airplane was consumed by post crash fire. The private pilot pilot-in-command, airline transport rated passenger and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Montgomery, Alabama, at 1608.

Witnesses who were located adjacent to the runway in the vicinity of Miltope Corporation stated they heard an airplane departing from runway 10. One witness stated one of the engines sounded like it was running smooth and the other engine sounded like it was sputtering. He looked towards the runway and observed the airplane on the takeoff roll. He then heard both engines, which sounded erratic. He then wondered why the pilot did not abort the takeoff. The airplane was observed to rotate and the engine roughness continued. The airplane did not appear to climb very fast and disappeared into the clouds, which appeared lower than usual. A short time later he felt a vibration and heard a thud. He went around the building and observed black smoke coming up above the trees. The other witness stated he heard the airplane on takeoff and the engine sounded as if it was backfiring. He looked towards the direction of the engine noise and observed the airplane north of the airport. He stated to the other witnesses, "There's no way I would be on an airplane sounding like that." The airplane disappeared from view into the clouds and he could not hear it any more. A short time later he heard a thud and went around the other side of the building with the other witnesses and observed black smoke rising above the tree line. He informed another witness to call 911. A flight line refueler stated he observed the airplane taxi out and the engines sounded ok. He observed the airplane takeoff and the engines sounded ok. He further stated, "Nothing seemed to out of the ordinary with this plane or its departure."

Review of communication between Montgomery ground control, Local control, and N99DC revealed that N99DC was cleared for takeoff at 2207:44 (16:07:44 CST.) N99DC acknowledged the clearance at 2207:52. At 2209:01, N99DC stated, "delta Charlie we are coming back for a minute." The local controller stated at 2209:04, "November zero delta Charlie roger (unintelligible) say request." N99DC stated at 2209:09, "uh I'm going to circle to the left or the right either one and land again." The controller replied at 2209:14, "November zero delta charlie circle to the right do you have the airport in sight sir or would you like vectors to the ILS." N99DC replied at 2209:18, "no we'll go to the right. There was no other recorded radio communication with N99DC.

Review of the continuous data recording (CDR) visually viewed by the FAA coordinator and the CDR data received by the NTSB revealed that at 2208:34, N99DC was at 400 feet with a groundspeed of 101. At 2208:43 ,N99DC altitude was 500 feet with a groundspeed of 103. At 2208:52, N99DC altitude was 600 feet with a groundspeed of 106. At 2209:01, N99DC altitude was 700 feet with a groundspeed of 103. At 2209:10, N99DC altitude was 900 feet with a groundspeed of 97. At 2209:19, N99DC altitude is 800 feet with a groundspeed of 93. There was no other CDR data.

Personnel information

Review of information on file with the FAA Airman's Certification Division, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the pilot-in-command was issued a private pilot certificate on March 7, 1968 with ratings for airplane single engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. The pilot held a third class medical certificate issued on December 5, 2000 with the restriction must have available glasses for near vision and a miscellaneous restriction was assigned. The pilot indicated on his application for the FAA third class medical certificate that he had accumulated 7,700 hours with 70 hours being flown in the last 6 months. The pilot's logbook was not located. Review of insurance records obtained from APOPA Insurance Agency, Inc., the pilot indicated on his aircraft insurance application dated February 12, 2001, that he had accumulated 7,700 total flight hours, 530 hours in make and model, and he had flown 480 hours in the last 12 months. The pilot informed the insurance agent at AOPA on August 13, 2001, that his biennial flight review was conducted on January 9, 2001.

Review of information on file with the FAA Airman's Certification Division, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the airline transport pilot rated passenger was issued an airline transport pilot certificate on August 28, 1991, with ratings for airplane multiengine land/airline transport pilot, airplane single engine land/ commercial pilot, and instrument airplane. The pilot held a first class medical certificate issued on November 7, 2001 with the restriction must wear corrective lenses. The pilot indicated on his application for the FAA first class medical certificate that he had accumulated 3,900 hours with 400 hours flown in the last 6 months. The pilot's logbook was not located. According to family members the pilot logbook was normally located in the airplane glove box.

Aircraft information

According to the Chief Inspector for ARK-LA-TEX Avionics located in Shreveport, Louisiana, the logbooks for N99DC were located in a bag in the rear baggage compartment of N99DC. In addition, the last recorded altimeter system, static pressure system, and transponder test was conducted on July 11, 2000. Records on file with Deville & Deville located in Shreveport, Louisiana, revealed that the last known recorded annual inspection was conducted on April 25, 2001; in accordance with invoice No. 99DC-1053 dated May 8, 2001.

Meteorological information

The nearest weather reporting facility at the time of the accident was Montgomery Regional Airport, Montgomery, Alabama. The 1554 surface weather observation was: wind 100-degrees at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, ceiling 700 overcast, temperature 61 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 61 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter 30.13. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to the Anniston Automated Flight Service Station, the pilot of N99DC called at 2137:53, filed an IFR flight, received an abbreviated weather briefing, which was terminated at 2142:13.

Wreckage and impact information

The wreckage of N99DC was located in a wooded area about 1.15 nautical miles east of the airport at coordinates N 32.17.9 W 086.22.1.

Examination of the crash site revealed the airplane collided with the terrain in a vertical descent right wing low on a heading of 224-degrees magnetic in a slight right turn. The wings were perpendicular to the fuselage. There was no evidence of a crash debris line. The cabin area was consumed by a post crash fire extending from the nose baggage compartment aft to the rear of the aft baggage compartment. The nose gear was in the retracted position. The aft baggage compartment door separated and was located behind the right wing. The rear fuselage tail cone was buckled. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator remained attached to the rear fuselage. The vertical stabilizer remained attached to the rear fuselage. The two upper rudder hinge assemblies were separated from the vertical stabilizer. The rudder and rudder trim tab were buckled. The left horizontal stabilizer was buckled upward and separated from the rear fuselage, and the elevator remained attached to the stabilizer. The right engine assembly was bucked at the firewall. The right propeller assembly separated behind the propeller flange. The propeller spinner exhibited no evidence of rotation. O