# NTSB ATL99LA024: Beech 33-F33A, N69FL, Fernandina Bch, FL, November 28, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 28, 1998, 11:38 local (16:38 UTC) - Place: Fernandina Bch, FL - Coordinates: 30.650955, -81.439399 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6510&lon=-81.4394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 26, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45395 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45395/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA024 ## Probable cause The Pilot's failure to maintain flying airspeed that resulted in a loss of control and an inadvertent stall. Factors were several electrical system component malfunction. ## Analysis After the flight departed the pilot attempted to use the radios, but discovered that there was a loss of electrical power. Air Traffic Controller, observed the airplane as it circled near the airport. The pilot used a walkie-talkie and established radio contact with a man who was knowledgeable of the airplane. With the assistance of the ground person the pilot hand-cranked the landing gear down. The pilot made a low pass over the airport for a visual gear inspection. According to a witness at the airport, it appeared that the landing gear was extended. He continued to observe the airplane as the pilot executed a tight left turn. The airplane disappeared below the trees on the upwind side of runway 08. The airplane collided with a tree and the ground in a residential area. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 1998, at 1138 eastern standard time, a Beech 33-F33A, N69FL, while maneuvering to land at airport collided with the ground in a residential area in Fernandina Beach, Florida. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot sustained serious injuries, the passenger sustained minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane departed Craig Field in Jacksonville, Florida, at 1102 enroute to Brunswick, Georgia. During a telephone interview with the pilot, the pilot reported that he did not remember any of the details of the flight or the accident. The passenger reported that they flew to Craig Field where the pilot had a radio installed. After the flight departed Craig Field the pilot attempted to use the radio, but discovered that there was a loss of electrical power. Air Traffic Controller from Jacksonville, Florida, observed the airplane as it circled near Fernandina Beach Airport. The passenger reported that the pilot used a walkie-talkie and established radio contact with a man who was knowledgeable of Beech Aircraft. With the assistance of the ground person the pilot hand-cranked the landing gear down. The pilot made a low pass over the airport for a visual gear inspection. According to a witness at the airport, it appeared that the landing gear was extended. He continued to observe the airplane as the pilot executed a tight left turn. The airplane disappeared below the trees on the upwind side of runway 08. The airplane collided with a tree and the ground in a residential area. The examination of the accident site disclosed that wreckage debris was scattered over an area 70 feet long and 40 feet wide. The wreckage path was orientated on a 315 degree magnetic heading. There were several slash marks on the roadway 60 feet southeast of the main wreckage. Imprints of the left main landing gear and the nose section of the airframe were located at the roadway curb. The main wreckage rested in the front yard of a single family home and was 41 feet northwest of the road curb. The outboard left wing panel collided with a palm tree in the front yard. Several electrical components were removed from the airplane for additional examination. Test were conducted on the battery, the voltage regulator, and the alternator. The battery case showed signs of damage, and was tested by a mechanic, who stated that the battery voltage dropped to approximately 1 volt when a load was applied. According to the mechanic a normal condition battery would have continued to show a potential of 14 to 18 volts under such a load. The battery was tested once again and it dropped again to 1 volt. The aircraft maintenance personnel concluded from the testing that the battery was discharged during flight, then damaged during the impact. The examination of voltage regulator found that it functioned normally. Corrosion was noted on the external connector pins. The alternator was tested and no discrepancies were noted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - electrical system - failure,total (contributing factor) - electrical system,battery - discharged (contributing factor) - electrical system,voltage regulator - corroded (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N69FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69FL-2000-05-01), registration cancelled 2000-05-01, S/N CE-1670 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 33-F33A - Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-1670 - Airframe hours: 971 - Engines: Continental IO 520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cleon E. Moore - Registered owner: Seawave Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 17, 1997, 72 hours before - Departed: CRG, JACKSONVILLE, FL - Destination: BQK, BRUNSWICK, GA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 55J, Fernandina Beach Muni, runway 22, 5,350 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total, 90 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAX, 23 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 19981128039909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981128039909A), Nov 28, 1998: Beech F33A, Fernandina Beac, FL, Substantial damage. (-23)N69FL departed craig, FL (crg) VFR to brunswick ga (55J). Pilot contacted UNICOM at (55J) Fernandina bch FL and reported electrical failure using hand… 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.