# NTSB BFO89LA072: Beech B55, N816FW, Orange, VA, August 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1989, 12:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Orange, VA
- Coordinates: 38.239662, -78.109375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2397&lon=-78.1094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA072

## Probable cause

THE TAKEOFF WAS REJECTED WHEN THE PILOT WAS STARTLED BY THE SOUND FROM THE EMERGENCY WINDOW EXIT WHICH WAS INADVERTENTLY OPENED BY A PASSENGER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT IN TIME TO AVOID OVERRUNNING THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - window,cabin - open (contributing factor)
  - emergency equipment - inadvertent activation, passenger (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - abort - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - passenger briefing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE WAS ON TAKEOFF ROLL, NEAR LIFT OFF SPEED, AND HALF-WAY DOWN THE 3200 LONG RUNWAY WHEN, UNKNOWN TO HIM, THE ELEVEN YEAR OLD PASSENGER IN THE SECOND ROW RIGHT SEAT OPENED THE EMERGENCY WINDOW. THE PLT SAID HE HEARD A LOUD POP AND RUSH OF AIR. THE PLT SAID HE THOUGHT THAT EITHER A DOOR HAD OPENED OR A TIRE HAD BLOWN, SO HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE PLT SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACFT ON THE WET RUNWAY BEFORE IT PAST THE RUNWAY END AND CAME TO A STOP IN A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N816FW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B55
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-1747
- Airframe hours: 1424
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard B. Wright
- Registered owner: Richard B Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1989, 17 hours before
- Destination: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: W93, Orange, Co, runway 25, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,553 total, 81 in this make and model, 2,150 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F

## 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 19890816066359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890816066359A), Aug 16, 1989: Beech 95B55, Orange, VA, Substantial damage. Passenger opened emergency window on takeoff roll. Pilot elected to abort and ran off end of wet runway.

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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