# NTSB CEN12LA515: Beech E-55, N3644A, Houston, TX, August 2, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 2012, 10:28 local (15:28 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.829641, -95.659408 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8296&lon=-95.6594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Houston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84570 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA515 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84570/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84570 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA515 ## Probable cause A damaged ignition harness, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: ignition system wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/cases.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot aborted the takeoff in the twin-engine airplane due to a rough running engine. The airplane exited the end of the runway and struck an embankment. Postaccident examination and testing of the airplane’s left engine revealed damage to the ignition harness and rough operation during a test run. Replacement of the worn harness resulted in normal operation during a second test run. Based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane's left engine experienced a partial loss of power due to the damaged ignition harness. The reason for the damaged ignition harness could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 2012, about 1028 central daylight time, a Beech E-55, N3644A, sustained substantial damage when it struck a road embankment following an aborted takeoff after a loss of engine power on the left engine at the West Houston Airport, Houston, Texas. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that during the initial portion of the takeoff, the engines accelerated smoothly and the systems and gauges indicated normal operation. As the airplane accelerated the pilot noticed a roughness in performance and verified that the throttle, mixture, and propeller controls for both engines were forward. Due to the roughness and a perceived loss of engine power on one engine, the pilot aborted the takeoff. There was insufficient runway remaining to stop the airplane and it went off the end of the runway and struck an embankment that bordered the airport perimeter road. Postaccident examination of the airplanes left engine revealed damage to two of the six spark plug leads. The engine was mounted on a test stand and during a subsequent test run the engine exhibited rough operation. The damaged ignition harness was replaced with the harness from the right engine and the test run repeated. During the second test run the engine started immediately and ran through various power settings with no hesitations, stumbling or interruptions in power. The reason for the damage to the ignition harness could not be determined. The most recent annual inspection of the airplane was completed on July 16, 2012. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3644A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3644A-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N TE-778, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH E-55 - Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TE-778 - Airframe hours: 3706 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2012 - Departed: IWS, Houston, TX - Destination: IWS, Houston, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: IWS, West Houston Airport, runway 15, 3,953 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 366 total, 137 in this make and model, 282 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: TME, 12 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 20120802015759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120802015759A), Aug 2, 2012: Beech E-55, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. On takeoff roll left engine did not develope sufficient power. Aicraft started to yaw. Pilot aborted takeoff and aircraft over ran end of runway. Departed… ## Other investigations on N3644A (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR10LA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA347), Jul 3, 2010: Beech E-55 (N3644A), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The landing gear collapse for undetermined reasons. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 10, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84570. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 331 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Engine examination report (item 2, .PDF, 601 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20examination%20report-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400129&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF 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.