# NTSB BFO91FA053: Beech B65, N655KJ, California, MD, June 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1991, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: California, MD
- Coordinates: 38.290512, -76.490158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2905&lon=-76.4902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 11 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91FA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91FA053

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF POWER IN ONE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## 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)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ON A PARACHUTE JUMPING FLT THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER, BUT A SECOND LATER POWER WAS RESTORED. SOON AFTERWARDS A TOTAL POWER LOSS OCCURRED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE PROPELLER STOPPED ROTATING AND DID NOT WINDMILL. HE DID NOT FEATHER THE LEFT PROPELLER. HE MADE A SHALLOW LEFT TURN TOWARD AN OPEN FIELD, WHILE TRYING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED OR ALTITUDE, AND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL, HE REDUCED POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGGINE. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A STOP AND ALL OCCUPANTS ESCAPED THE AIRPLANE BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N655KJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N655KJ-1994-01-04), registration cancelled 1994-01-04, S/N LC129 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B65
- Registry model: [Beech 65](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65) (registry code 1152802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LC-129]
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: LYCOMING GSIO-480 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Fayard Enterprise, Inc.
- Registered owner: Fayard Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1991, 40 hours before
- Departed: 2W6
- Airport: runway 11, 3,200 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,350 total, 150 in this make and model, 2,160 as pilot in command, 510 in the last 90 days, 160 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PXT, 999 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 19910602018729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910602018729A), Jun 2, 1991: Beech 65, California, MD, Destroyed. Left engine lost power on climb to drop jumpers. Failed feather. Unable fly landed in wheat. Evacuated. Burned.

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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