# NTSB ATL85LA199: Beech 55, N2781F, Savannah, GA, June 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1985, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Savannah, GA
- Location: 32.1276° N, 81.2021° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SAVANNAH/HILTON HEAD INTL (SAV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1276&lon=-81.2021&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA199

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - autopilot/flight director - engaged (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator trim/tab control - other
  - trim setting - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - not attained
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PLT CHECKED THE TRIM & THE AUTO-PLT. DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, HE NOTED THAT THE 'AIRCRAFT FELT HEAVY ON ROTATION/TAKEOFF ABORTED.'  THE ACFT CONTINUED OFF THE END OF THE RWY, HIT A MOUND OF DIRT & WAS DAMAGED. A POST-ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED THAT BOTH THE AUTO-PLT & ELECTRICAL TRIM WERE ON & THE ELEVATOR TRIM WAS IN THE FULL NOSE DOWN TRIM POSITION. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL, THE AUTO-PLT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE OFF POSITION FOR TAKEOFF. NOT ALL OF THE RWY WAS AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF; THE PLT HAD 3800 FT REMAINING FROM WHERE HE BEGAN HIS TAKEOFF ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2781F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 55
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC1801
- Airframe hours: 775
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John S. Kern P.E.P.C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: SAV
- Destination: VIDALIA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SAV, Savannah, runway 36, 3,800 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 515 total, 55 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV

## 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 19850630043819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850630043819A), Jun 30, 1985: Beech 95A55, Savannah, GA, Substantial damage. Inadvertently left auto pilot on during takeoff. Unable to rotate, aborted too late, ran off end of runway.

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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