# NTSB ATL97LA025: Beech BE-24R, N6988R, Doraville, GA, December 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 10, 1996, 22:03 local (Dec 11, 1996, 03:03 UTC) - Place: Doraville, GA - Location: 33.9093° N, 84.2684° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from DEKALB-PEACHTREE (PDK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9093&lon=-84.2684&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3812/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA025 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot had completed a preflight inspection of the airplane; all aircraft systems checked out normal. About 6 miles from the destination airport, the pilot reported encountering strong turbulence and reduced the throttle to slow the airplane. Once the airspeed and turbulence conditions were resolved, the pilot advanced the throttle; there was no response. After completing an unsuccessful restart procedure, the pilot informed the tower of his engine out condition, and requested assistance from the controller for the nearest opening for an emergency landing. The pilot spotted a dark area and established an approach for the emergency landing. He slowed the airplane to as low as possible airspeed, and the airplane settled into the tops of the stand of trees. After the airplane was recovered from the trees, several gallons of fuel were removed from the fuel system. The engine examination and functional run failed to disclose a mechanical problem. Examination of the airframe and related systems also failed to disclose a mechanical problem. ## Factual narrative On December 10, 1996, at 2203 eastern standard time, a Beech BE-24R, N6988R, collided with trees while maneuvering for an emergency landing three miles northeast of the Dekalb-Peachtree Airport near Doraville, Georgia. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and pilot was not injured. The flight departed Roanoke, Virginia, at 1845. The pilot received a weather briefing, filed an instrument flight plan, and completed a preflight inspection of the airplane; all aircraft systems checked out normal. The takeoff and climb out from Roanoke were described as routine. The pilot requested a change in routing to avoid the high terrain. He continued to check his ground speed, and was aware of the fuel burn rate; the flight was routine. As the flight approached the Atlanta area, the pilot started his let-down and was given an approach and landing clearance to runway 20L. About six miles from Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, the pilot reported encountering strong turbulence. At this point he reduced the throttle to slow the airplane. Once the airspeed and turbulence conditions were resolved, the pilot advanced the throttle; there was no response. After completing an unsuccessful restart procedure, the pilot informed the tower of his engine out condition, and requested assistance from the controller for the nearest opening for an emergency landing. The pilot spotted a dark area and established an approach for the emergency landing. He slowed the airplane to as low as possible airspeed and it settled into a stand of trees. After the airplane was recovered from the trees, several gallons of fuel were removed from the fuel system; the engine was subsequently examined. The engine examination and functional run failed to disclose a mechanical problem. Examination of the airframe and related systems also failed to disclose a mechanical problem. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6988R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6988R-2005-10-04), registration cancelled 2005-10-04, S/N MC-244, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech BE-24R - Registry model: [Beech B24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b24r) (registry code 1151253) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MC-244 - Airframe hours: 2598 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Dwight Holland - Registered owner: Bev Long - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 9, 1995 - Departed: ROA, ROANOKE, VA - Destination: PDK, ATLANTA, GA - Airport: PDK, Peachtree Dekalb, runway 20L, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,750 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ATL, 30 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 19961210045489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961210045489A), Dec 10, 1996: Beech B24R, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Nearing destination lost power. Night landing in trees. No anomalies found. Turbulence low fuel may unported. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.