# NTSB CHI89LA170: Beech A33, N915Q, Bloomington, IL, August 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1989, 18:43 local (23:43 UTC)
- Place: Bloomington, IL
- Coordinates: 40.469009, -88.93959 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4690&lon=-88.9396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA170

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CONTAMINATION (WATER, DEBRIS, AND RUST-LIKE PARTICLES) IN THE FUEL AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO DETECT THE CONTAMINATION DURING THE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED THROUGH ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND CONTINUED ON ACROSS A GRASSY AREA AND INTO A FIELD OF MATURE CORN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED CONTAMINATION (WATER, DEBRIS, AND A RUST-LIKE PARTICULATE) IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ENGINE RAN UP NORMALLY WITH CLEAN FUEL IN THE SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N915Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N915Q), registered now, S/N CD-379, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech A33
- Registry model: [Beech 35-A33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-a33) (registry code 1151404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD-379
- Airframe hours: 4650
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Weible Insurance
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1989, 50 hours before
- Departed: BMI, BLOOMINGTON, IL
- Destination: 3WE, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Airport: BMI, Bloomington, runway 21, 3,723 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,550 total, 671 in this make and model, 1,508 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BMI

## 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 19890813031119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890813031119A), Aug 13, 1989: Beech 35A33, Bloomington-Nor, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed on end runway, ran off into cornfield. Fuel mixture avgas and mogas contaminated.

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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