# NTSB CEN16LA119: Beech 95 C55, N88FL, Casey, IL, February 27, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 27, 2016, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Casey, IL - Coordinates: 39.306388, -87.998886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3064&lon=-87.9989&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 6, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Continental Motors, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92806 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92806/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92806 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent landing on a taxiway after a reported loss of engine power in both engines, which resulted in an overrun of the paved surface. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because a postaccident test run of the engines did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-C55, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1152708), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-C55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=1152708), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-C55, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1152708), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-C55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1152708), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Beech 95-C55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1152708), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 95-C55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1152708), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight in a multiengine airplane; he entered the pattern on the crosswind leg and set the mixture and power for landing and extended the flaps. He reported that the right engine "sputtered" while the airplane was abeam the runway threshold. The pilot immediately checked the power levers, pushed the mixture controls to full. As he turned onto the base leg of the traffic pattern, the right engine lost power. He further reported that, during the turn to the final leg of the traffic pattern, the left engine also sputtered, and then experienced a total loss of power. The pilot extended the flaps to the final setting, lowered the landing gear, and pushed the airplane's nose over to "make the runway." The pilot said that he "flared then bounced, floated and bounced again." The airplane ran off the paved surface, flew over a ditch and touched down in a plowed field where all three landing gear collapsed. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane touched down on the 1,400-foot-long parallel taxiway, rather than the runway, and continued off the taxiway, where it came to rest. During recovery of the airplane from the accident site, 25 gallons of fuel was drained from each of the main fuel tanks. The airplane's engines were run on a test stand at the manufacturer's facility. Both engines exhibited normal operation through all power settings. No other system anomalies were found with the airplane. It is likely the pilot, distracted by the reported loss of power on both engines, mistook the parallel taxiway for the runway. On touching down, he quickly ran out of hard surface and pulled the airplane back into the air. He subsequently touched down beyond the perimeter road about taxiway into soft ground, collapsing the landing gear and resulting in the damage to the airplane's forward fuselage and right wing. ## Factual narrative On February 27, 2016 about 1030 Central Standard Time, a Beech 95-C55 airplane, N88FL, impacted in a field while attempting to land at the Casey Municipal Airport (1H8), Casey, Illinois. The pilot and passenger on board were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to DBI Properties LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM), Birmingham, Alabama, at 0720.The pilot reported having difficulty visually locating the airport and had to ask Air Traffic Control (ATC) for vectors to the airport twice. After finally locating the airport, the pilot reported that he entered that traffic pattern on the crosswind leg and extended his downwind leg because of the excessive speed. He set the mixture and throttle controls for landing and extended flaps to the approach setting abeam the threshold for runway 04. At that time the right engine "sputtered". The pilot immediately checked the throttle levers and advanced the mixtures to full forward. As he turned onto the base leg, the right engine lost power. The pilot continued the landing pattern making a turn onto final approach. As he was making the turn, the left engine "sputtered and then shut down." The pilot extended the flaps to the final setting, lowered the landing gear, and pushed the airplane's nose over to "make the runway." The pilot said that he "flared then bounced, floated and bounced again. I saw a ditch at the end of the runway so I flew over it and the [airport] perimeter road, touching down in a plowed field. The [landing] gear caught in the rough ground and all three struts collapsed." The Federal Aviation Administration conducted an on scene examination of the airport and the airplane. The taxiway that paralleled runway 04 showed tire marks that went off the taxiway into the adjacent field where the taxiway curved toward the runway. Two taxiway lights were found broken along what would have been the airplane's path. The tire marks ended and then were seen again in a plowed and muddy field just beyond the airport perimeter road. The tire marks continued for about 1,500 ft to where the airplane came to rest. An examination of the airplane showed the nose gear and right main landing gear collapsed. The left main gear was bent and broken outboard of the wheel well. The airplane's right wing spar was bent upward outboard of the aileron and the forward fuselage bulkheads at the nose wheel well showed upward crushing and bending. Both propellers were feathered and the propeller controls were in the feather position. When examined at the scene, there was no fuel in the left main tank or left auxiliary tank. The right main tank was full of fuel. The right auxiliary fueltank was partially full, with a fuel level about an inch from the bottom of the tank. Both fuel selectors were on the respective left and right main fuel tanks positions. No anomalies were found with the airplane's systems at the scene. The engines were retained for later examination. On March 3, 2016, AMF Aviation, LLC, recovered the airplane from the accident scene. Prior to moving the airplane, 25 gallons of fuel (50 total gallons) was removed from each of the two main fuel tanks. The representative for AMF Aviation reported the fuel was clean 100 low lead. Casey Municipal Airport is located on the west-northwest side of the town of Casey, Illinois. The field elevation is 653 ft msl. Its principal runway is 04/22, which is 4,001 ft long by 75 ft wide. It is asphalt surfaced with medium intensity edge lighting. A taxiway parallels runway 04 to the north and begins about 2,700 ft from the approach end of the runway. The taxiway measures about 1,400 ft in length to where it curves to the right and proceeds perpendicularly to the runway. A 12-ft wide perimeter road is located 487 ft from the departure end of runway 04. At 0853, the reported weather conditions at Coles County Memorial Airport (MTO), Mattoon/Charleston, Illinois, 16 nm northwest of 1H8, were wind 180 at 10 knots, clear skies, visibility 9 statute miles temperature 34 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 28 degrees F, and altimeter 30.09 inches of Mercury. Both engines were examined at Continental Motors, Incorporated, Mobile, Alabama, on June 13, 14, and 15, 2016. Each engine was mounted on a test stand, connected to fuel and electrical sources, started, and run for approximately 30 minutes. Both engines showed normal operation through all power settings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88FL-2018-09-14), registration cancelled 2018-09-14, S/N TE-269, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 95 C55 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Beech 95-C55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-c55) (registry code 1152708) (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-269 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 4681.7 - Engines: Continental IO-520-CB 285 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-520-CB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 2016 - Departed: BHM, Birmingham, AL - Destination: 1H8, Casey, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 1H8, Casey Municipal Airport, runway 04, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 11, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,978 total, 327 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: MTO, 16 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 20160227001669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160227001669A), Feb 27, 2016: Beech 95-C55, Casey, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off the end of runway on landing at 1H8 (Casey, IL) ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92806. 8.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 724 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation, Ms. Stephanie Williams, FAA PMI (item 2, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation,%20Ms.%20Stephanie%20Williams,%20FAA%20PMI-Master.PDF - Salvage Operator E-Mail (item 3, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Salvage%20Operator%20E-Mail-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 14 photos, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Left Engine Run Report (item 6, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Left%20Engine%20Run%20Report-Master.PDF - Right Engine Run Report (item 7, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441796&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Right%20Engine%20Run%20Report-Master.PDF - Continental Motors Release Form (item 8, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continental%20Motors%20Release%20Form-Master.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.