# NTSB CHI93LA130: Beech B-55, N4167P, Green Bay, WI, April 4, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 1993, 18:15 local (Apr 4, 1993, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Green Bay, WI - Coordinates: 44.539501, -88.050521 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5395&lon=-88.0505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9204 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9204/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA130 ## Probable cause Improper replacement of the right wing by maintenance personnel which resulted in the vapor return lines being reversed, and the auxiliary tank vent to be disconnected. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Explosion, standing - starting engine(s) - wing - exploded - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - fuel system,vent - disconnected (cause) - fuel system,vapor return system - incorrect (cause) - Fire, other ## Analysis The pilot was leaving Green Bay, Wisconsin for the return flight to Rockford, Illinois. On the preflight inspection, the pilot said he noticed that the right auxiliary tank was overfilled, but did not worry about it. When he attempted to start the right engine, the right wing exploded. The airplane had recently been painted. During the painting process, both wings had been removed and replaced. The investigation revealed the fuel vapor return lines for the main and auxiliary tanks in the right wing had been reversed, and that the vent for the auxiliary tank had been disconnected, allowing the auxiliary tank to vent to the interior of the right wing. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 1993, at 1815 central standard time, a Beech B-55, N4167P, sustained substantial damage when the outboard section of the right wing exploded as the pilot started the right engine. The mishap occurred at Austin Straubel Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin. The commercial pilot was not injured. The personal flight was originating at Green Bay, with an intended destination of Rockford, Illinois. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot stated he had flown from Rockford, Illinois, to Green Bay using the main fuel tanks. During the preflight inspection for the return trip, he said he noticed that the right auxiliary tank was overfilled. The examination of the wing and fuel system revealed the fuel return lines for the main tank and auxiliary tank on the right wing were reversed. A vent line connection for the right auxiliary tank was found unconnected. The airplane had been recently painted. Both wings had been removed and replaced during the painting. The airplane had flown three hours since the post-painting inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4167P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4167P), registered now, S/N TF-23, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B-55 - Registry model: [Beech B-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-55) (registry code 1152729) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-series) (registry code 17044, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TF-23 - Airframe hours: 10880 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Courtesy Aircraft, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 11, 1993, 3 hours before - Departed: GRB - Destination: RFD, ROCKFORD, IL - Airport: GRB, Austin Straubel Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 75 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GRB ## 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 19930403008079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930403008079A), Apr 3, 1993: Beech 95B55, Green Bay, WI, Substantial damage. Pre flight noticed aux tank over filled. On startup right wing exploded. Maintenance reversed fuel vent to interior 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.