# NTSB BFO84IA004: Beech 58, N72TM, Washington, DC, August 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1984, 01:23 local (05:23 UTC)
- Place: Washington, DC
- Coordinates: 38.909618, -77.019386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9096&lon=-77.0194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO84IA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO84IA004

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause)
- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - miscellaneous - fire
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON RWY 18 FOLLOWING A LOSS OF POWER IN THE RT ENG & A SUBSEQUENT IN-FLIGHT FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CRACK IN THE #1 CYL THAT ORIGINATED AT THE EXHAUST PORT, DOWNSTREAM OF THE VALVE. THE CRACK PROPAGATED THROUGH FATIQUE TO THE TOP SPARK PLUG HOLE. EVENTUALLY, IT PROGRESSED TO THE POINT THAT THE FLAME PATH (DURING THE COMBUSITION CYCLES), TORCHED THROUGH NEAR THE SPARK PLUG HOLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N72TM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TH 213
- Airframe hours: 6310
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C7 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Gibson Aviation
- Registered owner: Joseph W. Gibson III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 23, 1984, 15 hours before
- Departed: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Destination: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DCA, National, runway 18, 6,869 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 625 in this make and model, 104 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA

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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