# NTSB ATL91LA095: Beech 55, N42WE, Perry, GA, May 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1991, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Perry, GA
- Coordinates: 32.460433, -83.729103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4604&lon=-83.7291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8406/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA095

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND (CFI). THE IMPROPER PROCEDURE OF TURNING THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TO 'OFF' AT ALTITUDE TO SIMULATE A FAILED ENGINE, THEN DELAYING RESTARTING OF THE ENGINE UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## 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, go-around (vfr)
  - 1 engine - failure,total
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE, HE TURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR FOR THE RIGHT ENGINE TO THE 'OFF' POSITION. HE STATED THAT AT SOME POINT DURING THE APPROACH TO THE AIRFIELD HE RETURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE 'ON' POSITION AND RESTARTED THE RIGHT ENGINE. HE LEFT THE POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE AT A LOW POWER SETTING, TO CONTINUE TO SIMULATE A FAILED ENGINE. AT ABOUT 30 FEET A GO-AROUND WAS EXECUTED, AND BOTH ENGINES RESPONDED FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. AFTER 30 SECONDS, THE RIGHT ENGINE FAILED AND THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLIMB ON ONE ENGINE. IN ORDER TO AVOID POWER LINES, THE PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE TERRAIN AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED. THE AIRCRAFT PILOT'S MANUAL STATES THAT SINGLE ENGINE DEMONSTRATIONS SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED USING THE POWER AND PROPELLER LEVERS AND SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED AT 5000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N42WE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 55
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TF-42
- Airframe hours: 12416
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L9B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Potter, Douglas A.
- Registered owner: Robins Afb Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1991, 13 hours before
- Departed: WRB, WARNER ROBINS, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 54A, Perry-Fort Valley, runway 36, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,478 total, 118 in this make and model, 1,419 as pilot in command, 226 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 12 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 19910517016429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910517016429A), May 17, 1991: Beech 95B55, Perry, GA, Substantial damage. Shut off fuel for practice engine out but started it in pattern. Began go around but engine failed to respond.

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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