# NTSB CHI93MA143: Beech C99, N115GP, Shelton, NE, April 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1993, 23:50 local (Apr 29, 1993, 04:50 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, NE
- Coordinates: 40.770473, -98.730422 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7705&lon=-98.7304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93MA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93MA143

## Probable cause

THE DELIBERATE DISREGARD FOR THE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS, GP EXPRESS PROCEDURES, AND PRUDENT CONCERN FOR SAFETY BY THE TWO PILOTS IN THEIR DECISION TO EXECUTE AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER DURING A SCHEDULED CHECK RIDE FLIGHT, AND THE FAILURE OF GP EXPRESS MANAGEMENT TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A COMMITMENT TO INSTILL PROFESSIONALISM IN THEIR PILOTS CONSISTENT WITH THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF SAFETY NECESSARY FOR AN AIRLINE OPERATING SCHEDULED PASSENGER SERVICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, check pilot (cause)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, company/operator mgmt (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - night
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS A PART 135 SIX-MONTH PROFICIENCY CHECK FOR THE PILOT IN THE LEFT SEAT.  BOTH PILOTS WERE CHECK AIRMEN FOR THE COMMUTER AIR CARRIER.  THE FLIGHT TOOK OFF AT 2343 AFTER CESSATION OF COMPANY REVENUE OPERATIONS.  THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER RECORDED CONVERSATION OF BOTH PILOTS DISCUSSING AEROBATICS.  THE PILOT IN THE LEFT SEAT STARTED TO DESCRIBE THE PERFORMANCE OF A PROHIBITED MANEUVER (APPARENTLY A BARREL ROLL).  THE RECORDING ENDED BEFORE DESCRIPTION OF THE MANEUVER WAS COMPLETED.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A NOSE LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH THE LEFT WING SLIGHTLY DOWN.  THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE MANEUVER WAS PERFORMED AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO ASSURE RECOVERY OF THE AIRPLANE.  A FILLED OUT GRADE SHEET FOR THE FLIGHT BEING FLOWN WAS FOUND IN THE CHECK AIRMAN'S MAILBOX.  (FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, SEE NTSB SUMMARY REPORT NTSB/AAR-94/01/SUM)

## Factual narrative

On April 28, 1993, at 2350 central daylight time (cdt), a Beech C-99, N115GP, operated by GP Express Airlines, Inc., crashed near Shelton, Nebraska.  The airplane was destroyed and the two air transport certificated pilots were fatally injured.  The flight was an air carrier training flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport, Grand Island, Nebraska, at 2343.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

For detailed narrative see Summary Report of this accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N115GP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N115GP-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N U-228, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C99
- Registry model: [Beech C-99](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-99) (registry code 1154006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U228
- Airframe hours: 6962
- Engines: P&W PT6A-36 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gp Express Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 26, 1993, 15 hours before
- Departed: GRI, GRAND ISLAND, NE
- Destination: GRI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,611 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 275 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRI, 19 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 19930428010949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930428010949A), Apr 28, 1993: Beech C99, Shelton, NE, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Attempted to roll aircraft at night at low altitude. Failed to arrest descent prior impact. Unauthorized actions.

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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