# NTSB ATL91FA026: Beech D-55, N2000Q, Greer, SC, December 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1990, 20:41 local (Dec 5, 1990, 01:41 UTC)
- Place: Greer, SC
- Coordinates: 34.859878, -82.300399 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8599&lon=-82.3004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA026

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW NORMAL FUEL SYSTEM OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES WHICH RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - all engines
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS SEQUENCED BEHIND A MALIBU FOR LANDING ON RUNWAY 03, AND THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED TO ALLOW THE MALIBU AMPLE SPACE FOR THE LANDING. ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM TOUCHDOWN THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED TO GO AROUND TO ALLOW THE MALIBU TIME TO CLEAR RUNWAY 03. THE PILOT STARTED A GO AROUND AND REPORTED A DUAL ENGINE MALFUNCTION DURING THE CLIMBOUT. THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON ANY RUNWAY. AS THE PILOT TURNED LEFT TOWARD RWY 21, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A SMALL GROVE OF TREES 1100 FEET LEFT OF THE EXTENDED CENTER LINE FOR RUNWAY 21. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD PLACED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVES IN THE AUX POSITION. A PLACARD ON THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE ASSEMBLY STATED 'USE AUX TANKS AND CROSS FEED FOR LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY.' SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATIONS OF THE AIRFRAME AND POWER PLANTS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION, THE RIGHT ENGINE STARTED AND OPERATED, ON THE AIRFRAME, WITH THE EXISTING FUEL AND SUPPORTIVE SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2000Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2000Q-1991-02-19), registration cancelled 1991-02-19, S/N TE491 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D-55
- Registry model: [Beech D55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d55) (registry code 1152730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-491
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Kennedy, Charles L.Jr., doing business as Chuck'S Flying Service
- Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GSP, Greenville-Spartanburg, runway 3, 7,600 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,566 total, 850 in this make and model, 2,325 as pilot in command, 158 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: GSP

## 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 19901204052789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901204052789A), Dec 4, 1990: Beech D55, Greer, SC, Substantial damage. Lost both engines during 360 go around. Crashed in trees. Fuel selectors on auxiliary fuel tanks. Unported fuel.

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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