# NTSB ATL91FA074: Beech 60, N311MC, Kinston, NC, April 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1991, 13:26 local (18:26 UTC)
- Place: Kinston, NC
- Coordinates: 35.270179, -77.590858 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2702&lon=-77.5909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA074

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNSECURED BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT DOOR AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff
  - door - not secured (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FROM RWY 22, THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE HAD A PROBLEM, THEN THERE WAS NO FURTHER COMM FROM THE ACFT.  SVRL WITNESSES SAW AN OBJECT FALL FROM THE ACFT & ONE WITNESS OBSERVED THAT A 'HOOD' HAD OPENED.  THE ACFT WAS MNVRD ONTO FINAL APCH TO RWY 36.  A WITNESS SAID THAT AS THE ACFT WAS LINING UP ON FINAL APCH, IT ENTERED A STEEP BANK & DSCNDD OUT OF HIS SIGHT.  SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH TREES IN A 27 DEG DSCNT, CRASHED & BURNED.  A BAG FROM THE NOSE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT WAS FND NEAR THE DEP END OF RWY 22.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FND.  BEFORE THE FLT, A RAMP PERSON OBSERVED THE PLT SERVICING THE LEFT ENG WITH OIL, BUT HE DID NOT KNOW IF THE PLT HAD SECURED THE BAGGAGE DOOR.  AN EXAM OF THE RCVRD DOOR ASSEMBLY FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MALFUNCTION OF THE REAR LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE FORWARD LATCH ASSEMBLY AREA WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N311MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N311MC-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N P-366, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 60
- Registry model: [Beech B-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-60) (registry code 1153605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P-366
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-541-E1C4 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kelco Aircraft, Inc.
- Registered owner: Kelco Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: SUA, STUART, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IS0, Kinston Regional Jetport, runway 36, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,345 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,661 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Observed at: ISO, 1 nm away

## 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 19910401008069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910401008069A), Apr 1, 1991: Beech B60, Kinston, NC, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Indicates nose baggage door came open on climbout. Banked steeply to return,stalled,crashed,and burned.

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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