# NTSB ATL88FA137: Beech C50, N66L, Fayetteville, NC, April 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1988, 17:53 local (21:53 UTC)
- Place: Fayetteville, NC
- Coordinates: 34.960182, -78.90055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9602&lon=-78.9005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system,pump - worn (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - shorted (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - propeller feathering - performed
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM TO FAYETTEVILLE TOWER AND REQUESTED LANDING. THE PILOT WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON RUNWAY 04. THE CONTROLLER NOTICED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT WAS QUESTIONED CONCERNING THE GEAR. INSTEAD OF CONTINUING THE APPROACH THE PILOT TURNED WEST AND WAS OBSERVED CIRCLING, THEN FALLING BELOW THE TREE LINE. THE WRECKAGE SITE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN NOSE LOW ATTITUDE ALONG A TREE LINE SOUTH OF AN OPEN FIELD. THE EXAMINATION ALSO DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMPS ON THE LEFT ENGINE HAD FAILED. THE ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP HAD A SHAFT FAILURE. THE BOOST PUMP HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT. THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS IN THE FEATHER POSITION. THE OPEN FIELD HAD AMPLE SPACE FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS STILL CAPABLE OF OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66L-1990-12-12), registration cancelled 1990-12-12, S/N CH136 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C50
- Registry model: [Beech C-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-50) (registry code 1152510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CH-136
- Airframe hours: 4466
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-F1A6 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard A. Earley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1987, 67 hours before
- Departed: LUMBERTON, NC
- Destination: WRIGHTSTOWN, NJ
- Airport: FAY, Grainess, runway 4, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 775 total, 29 in this make and model, 57 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAY

## 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 19880409008079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880409008079A), Apr 9, 1988: Beech C50, Fayetteville, NC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Left engine fuel pump and boost pump inoperative. Got below VMC on final and lost control turning into dead engine.

## Other investigations on N66L (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX67D0400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0400), May 2, 1967: Beech C50 (N66L), Imperial, CA, substantial damage

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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