# NTSB CHI82DA111: Beech 95, N2765Y, Pontiac, MI, April 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1982, 05:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Location: 42.6656° N, 83.4205° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at OAKLAND COUNTY INTL (PTK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6656&lon=-83.4205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - starting engine(s)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system - fire (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - performed, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

IT WAS DARK AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 20 DEGREES WHEN THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS ARRIVED AT THE PLANE. THE PILOT HAD STARTED THE RIGHT ENGINE BEFORE THE PASSENGERS ARRIVED, BUT THE LEFT ENGINE FAILED TO START IN THE COLD TEMPERATURE. THE PILOT WAS RECHARGING THE BATTERIES WHEN THE PASSENGERS ARRIVED AND GOT ON BOARD. HOWEVER, THEY DEPLANED AND OBSERVED FROM OPPOSITE SIDES AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED ANOTHER START. DURING THE ATTEMPTED START, THE LEFT ENGINE BACKFIRED AND A PRIMER FIRE ENSUED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PASSENGER ON THE LEFT SIDE PROCEEDED TO THE RIGHT SIDE. HE WAS STRUCK BY THE PROPELLER AS THE PILOT WAS MOVING BOTH THOTTLES TO IDLE CUT-OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2765Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2765Y-2014-04-22), registration cancelled 2014-04-22, S/N TD-136, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95
- Registry model: [Beech 95](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95) (registry code 1153402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TD136
- Airframe hours: 3964
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Abc Flight Service, Inc
- Registered owner: Abc Flight Service, Inc
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Destination: COVINGTON, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PTK, Oakland-Pontiac Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,400 total, 195 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 0 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 0 ft unknown
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 32 °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 19820405008189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820405008189A), Apr 5, 1982: Beech 95, Pontiac, MI. Passenger deplaned to observe attempts to start a balky engine. Walked into propeller of operating engine.

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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