# NTSB ATL88FA032: Beech 95C-55, N616G, Atlanta, GA, November 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1987, 22:50 local (Nov 9, 1987, 03:50 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.6367° N, 84.4279° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HARTSFIELD/JACKSON ATLANTA INTL (ATL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6367&lon=-84.4279&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA032

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - electrical system - failure,total
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear not extended, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - gear extension - attempted, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS BEING POSITIONED TO BEGIN CARGO REVENUE FLT. AS ACFT TURNED FINAL AND LDG GEAR HANDLE WAS PUT IN DOWN POSITION PIC NOTED DIMMING OF ALL LIGHTS & COMMUNICATIONS WERE LOST. PIC UNAWARE GEAR WERE STILL RETRACTED UNTIL PROP TIPS CONTACTED RWY. DURING LANDING SLIDE LEFT INBOARD FUEL TANK DRAIN SHEARED AWAY, FUEL LEAKED FROM TANK, AND WAS IGNITED. PIC RPTED HE ELECTED TO LAND VICE GO-AROUND BECAUSE HE WAS IN A TCA WITH NO COMMUNICATIONS AND NO LIGHTS. INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. OPERATOR STATED IT WAS NORMAL PRACTICE TO START ENGINES WITH ALTERNATORS OFF. CIRCUMSTANCES WERE CONSISTENT WITH LOSS OF ALTERNATORS AND BATTERY ONLY OPERATION. ALTERNATORS TESTED OK DURING POST ACCIDENT CHECK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N616G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N616G-2004-04-26), registration cancelled 2004-04-26, S/N TE-450, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95C-55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-C55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-c55) (registry code 1152708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE450
- Airframe hours: 8424
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce & Mark Mc Swiggan
- Registered owner: Bruce & Mark Mc Swiggan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 28, 1987, 87 hours before
- Departed: 6A2, GRIFFIN, GA
- Airport: ATL, William B Hartsfield, runway 8L, 9,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 130 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

## 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 19871108062509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871108062509A), Nov 8, 1987: Beech 95C55, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Indicates pilot neglected to turn on alternator switch after engine start lost electrics en route. Landed gear up.

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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