# NTSB BFO89FA022: Beech A60, N98DS, Manassas, VA, March 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Manassas, VA
- Location: 38.7468° N, 77.4826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manassas, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7468&lon=-77.4826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11454/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA022

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM ENGINE CONTROL SPEED AFTER A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OF THE LEFT ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE PILOT'S INEXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT AND AN OVER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AIRCRAFT WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT TOOK OFF AND CLIMBED TO ABOUT 300 FT WHILE IN A WIDE LEFT TURN. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE WINGS WERE ROCKING AND ERRATIC ENGINE SOUNDS WERE NOTED. THE ACFT WAS TURNING DOWNWIND WHEN IT ABRUPTLY PITCHED DOWN, ROLLED LEFT UNTIL INVERTED, DESCENDED AND CRASH. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION, ALTHOUGH THE LEFT PROP HAD LESS ROTATIONAL DAMAGE THAN THE RIGHT PROP. EXAMINATION OF ACFT RECORDS REVEALED THE ACFT WAS INACTIVE FOR ABOUT 9 YRS UNTIL IT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE LESS THAN A YEAR BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT ACCUMULATED ABOUT 17 HRS SINCE IT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE. THE PLT STATED TO A WITNESS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THAT HE HAD NOT DONE SINGLE ENGINE OPERATION IN THE ACFT. THE ACFT WAS OVERLOADED MORE THAN 200 LBS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98DS-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N P-227, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A60
- Registry model: [Beech A60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a60) (registry code 1153604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P-227
- Airframe hours: 1775
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-541-E1C4 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Rts Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Rts Service Inc
- Last inspection: Annual, November 29, 1988
- Destination: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE
- Airport: W10, Manassas, runway 16L, 5,700 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25,130 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD

## 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 19890311003609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311003609A), Mar 11, 1989: Beech A60, Manassas, VA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Observed on crosswind leg after takeoff with wings rocking. Rolled and impacted terrain. Over gross weight.

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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