# NTSB CHI89FA128: Beech 58, N9253A, Battle Creek, MI, July 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1989, 12:12 local (16:12 UTC)
- Place: Battle Creek, MI
- Coordinates: 42.289669, -85.220077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2897&lon=-85.2201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA128

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT CREW INADVERTENTLY SHUT DOWN THE LEFT ENGINE AFTER THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE COPILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRCRAFT BACK TOWARD THE RUNWAY.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR (PROBABLY) BY THE COPILOT AND IMPROPER MONITORING BY THE OTHER PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION TO THE RIGHT ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - monitoring - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - performed
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - all engines
  - emergency procedure - improper (cause)
  - wrong engine shutdown (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, ONE OF THE CREW MEMBERS REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER & THAT THEY WOULD RETURN FOR A LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO CIRCLE TO THE LEFT WITH THE RIGHT PROP FEATHERED. DURING THE TURN TO THE AIRPORT, THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED & CRASHED IN A SWAMPY AREA THAT WAS SURROUNDED BY TREES. A POST IMPACT FIRE ERUPTED & DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION VERIFIED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE PROPELLER HAD BEEN FEATHERED. THE FUEL SELECTOR FOR THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS FOUND POSITIONED BETWEEN 'OFF' & 'ON.'  THE MAGNETO SWITCH FOR THE LEFT ENGINE WAS FOUND IN THE 'OFF' POSITION, WHILE THE MAGNETO SWITCH FOR THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS IN THE 'BOTH' POSITION. REMNANTS OF THE THROW-OVER YOKE SHOWED THAT IT WAS POSITIONED TO THE COPILOT'S SIDE. THE COPILOT'S FLIGHT TIME IN THE BEECH 58 WAS NOT VERIFIED. BOTH ENGS WERE REMOVED & PREPARED FOR OPERATIONAL CHECKS. AFTER WATER CONTAMINATION WAS CLEANED FROM THE ENGINES, BOTH WERE STARTED & RAN SUCCESSFULLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9253A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9253A-1989-09-01), registration cancelled 1989-09-01, S/N TH45 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TH-45
- Airframe hours: 4750
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Central Sales & Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1989, 33 hours before
- Departed: BTL
- Destination: SWF, NEWBURGH, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BTL, W K Kellog, runway 31, 4,835 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTL, 1 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 19890707021229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890707021229A), Jul 7, 1989: Beech 58, Battle Creek, MI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost right engine,turned back stalled, crashed. Left mags in off position fuel selector off detente right 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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