# NTSB CEN19LA158: Boeing B75N1, N60955, Fredericksburg, TX, May 29, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2019, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Fredericksburg, TX
- Coordinates: 30.270959, -98.870315 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2710&lon=-98.8703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administraion; SAT FSDO, Textron Aviation-McCauley Propeller Systems
- SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99513/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99513
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA158

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was on approach to a private airstrip when the engine began to run rough. During the forced landing to rough terrain the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage. After the accident the pilot stated that he suspected an uncommanded feather of the right propeller blade due to a maintenance issue. An examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. According to the icing probability chart contained within Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive for serious icing at glide power, which could result in a loss of power and/or a rough running engine. It is unknown if the engine was at glide power or if the pilot had selected to use carburetor heat.

## Factual narrative

On May 29, 2019, at 0845 central daylight time, a Boeing B75N1, N60955, was involved in an accident near Fredericksburg, Texas. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot/owner received serious injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot, who was also the airplane owner, reported that he overflew the runway of a private airstrip but did not land because he believed the grass was too long. After overflying the airstrip, while the airplane was in a climb, the engine began to run rough and a forced landing was made in rough, uneven, terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage that included damage to the left wings, right wings, and fuselage. The pilot stated “we believe there was a mechanical malfunction in that one blade feathered possibly from improper torque on the bolts. We have [a] verbal statement from [the] previous owner that he changed the pitch on propeller. He is not [a] certified mechanic.” Post-accident examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no mechanical anomalies that would preclude normal airplane operation. At 0835, the Gillespie County Airport (T82), Fredericksburg, Texas, AWOS-3 recorded a temperature 75° F and a dewpoint of 66°. According to the icing probability chart contained within Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, atmospheric conditions were conducive for serious icing at glide power. It is unknown if the engine was at glide power or if the pilot had selected to use carburetor heat.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60955](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60955), registered now, S/N 75-1265, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING B75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-1265
- Year built: 1941
- Airframe hours: 4559
- Engines: Continental W-670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot
- Registered owner: Pilot
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2018
- Departed: AQO, Llano, TX
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: Bella Vista Ranch Airport, runway 14, 1,800 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2019; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 5,920 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observed at: T82

## 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 20190529017299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190529017299A), May 29, 2019: Boeing B75N1, Fredricksburg, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot made a VFR flight from llano, Texas (kaqo) direct to his ranch grass landing strip just outside of Fredricksburg, Texas. It was a 20-25 minute flight and…

## Other investigations on N60955 (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 UNK64X3857](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3857), Sep 7, 1964: Boeing B75N1 (N60955), Olyphant, AR, substantial damage

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99513. 245 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 235 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12340151&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20From%20Master_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of examination - engine (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12338098&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Examination-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - mccauley exam (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12337737&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20-%20McCauley%20Exam-Rel.pdf
- Materials laboratory factual report (item 4, PDF, 18 pages, 23 photos, 7.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12170937&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=21-020%20-%20Materials%20Lab%20Factual%20Report%20(CEN19LA158)-Rel.pdf
- Gillespie county airport (T82), fredericksburg, Texas, AWOS-3 (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12330221&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather-Rel.pdf
- Carburetor icing chart (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12333058&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carb%20Ice%20Chart-Rel-Rel.pdf
- Photo of wreckage (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 933 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12341019&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Log-Rel.pdf
- Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 993 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12327627&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=20200117_Signed%20Party%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.

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