# NTSB CHI90LA139: Beech B-55, N8390N, Detroit, MI, May 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1990, 20:45 local (May 29, 1990, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Detroit, MI
- Coordinates: 42.399368, -83.000793 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3994&lon=-83.0008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA139

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S EXECUTION OF A TURN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S EXECUTION OF A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION OF THE SECOND ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING.

## 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
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - 2 engines
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB, PILOT WAS IN RIGHT TURN AT 100 FEET AGL AND 140 MPH WHEN POWER WAS LOST IN THE LEFT ENGINE. PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN TO THE LEFT TO RETURN TO THE FIELD AND LOST POWER IN THE RIGHT ENGINE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED TANKS IN EACH WING WERE APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF FULL. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN EITHER ENGINE FROM ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP TO FLOW DIVIDER. TURNING TAKEOFFS ARE A PROHIBITED MANEUVER IN THIS AIRCRAFT DUE TO THE UNBAFFLED TANK CONFIGURATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8390N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8390N-1990-08-30), registration cancelled 1990-08-30, S/N TC1091 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech B-55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-1091
- Airframe hours: 9256
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Elite Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1990, 40 hours before
- Departed: DET
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Airport: DET, Detroit City, runway 33, 5,040 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,403 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,247 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET

## 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 19900528023879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900528023879A), May 28, 1990: Beech 95B55, Detroit, MI, Substantial damage. Made steep abrupt low level turn on climbout. Both engine quit. Crash landed off airport.

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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