# NTSB CHI95LA075: Beech C45H, N618K, New Hudson, MI, January 24, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 24, 1995, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: New Hudson, MI - Coordinates: 42.500434, -83.609275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5004&lon=-83.6093&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 June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9827 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9827/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA075 ## Probable cause The owner/pilot's inadequate maintenance practices which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff and the pilot's inadequate emergency procedure after the power loss occurred. Related factors are trees, diminished airspeed and abrupt touchdown. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - 1 engine - failure - fuel system,pump - failure - maintenance - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - airspeed - diminished, pilot in command (contributing factor) - touchdown - abrupt, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - building(nonresidential) ## Analysis THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 150 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND OVER A STAND OF TREES, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOTS MADE A HARD FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, SKIDDED AND CAME TO A STOP AGAINST A FARM BUILDING. THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED OVER A WOODED AREA. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE LEFT ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP SHAFT HAD FAILED. AIRPLANE RECORDS INDICATED THE MOST RECENT MAINTENANCE OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER 1991. THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN 148 HOURS SINCE THAT DATE. ## Factual narrative On January 24, 1995, about 1620 eastern standard time, a Beech C45H, N618K, experienced a loss of engine power on the left engine shortly after takeoff from New Hudson, Michigan. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the ensuing forced landing. The two commercially certificated pilots/airplane co- owners on board the airplane reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The pleasure flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from New Hudson, Michigan, about 1615, with an intended destination of Port Huron, Michigan. The two pilots had recently purchased the accident airplane. They reported they picked up the airplane from the previous owner in Sandwich, Illinois, at approximately 1500 on January 16, intending to return to their home base airport in Port Huron. They stated that due to deteriorating weather conditions they diverted to and overnighted in Howell, Michigan. The following day the pilots made several attempts to continue the flight to Port Huron, but eventually returned to Howell due to poor weather conditions. They left the airplane in Howell, and returned on January 21 to continue the trip to Port Huron. The pilots encountered unfavorable weather conditions again, and landed at New Hudson, Michigan. The pilots returned to New Hudson to pick up the airplane on January 24. They stated everything appeared normal during the runup. The pilot-in-command (PIC, left seat) stated after one aborted takeoff attempt (due to traffic) they took off from runway 25. The PIC stated the airplane was climbing through approximately 150 feet when the second pilot made the initial power reduction to a cruise climb power setting. The PIC reported the left engine lost power just after the power was reset. He requested full power, retracted the landing gear and attempted to feather the left engine. The PIC indicated the airplane was over a stand of trees, with airspeed and altitude decreasing, and he aimed for a snow covered open field ahead. He stated the airplane brushed the tree tops, then contacted the ground at a fairly high rate of descent. The airplane skidded to a stop against a silo and some farm equipment. Postaccident examination of the airplane engines revealed the left side engine driven fuel pump drive shaft was sheared. Examination of the airplane wreckage revealed the electric fuel boost pump switches were in the OFF position. There was no airplane registration, airworthiness certificate, weight and balance data, or airplane flight manuals on board the airplane. Examination of the airplane maintenance records revealed the most recent maintenance entry was dated November 13, 1991. Records indicated the airplane had flown 148 hours since that date. The PIC reported 4,386 hours total flight time, including 52 hours in the accident make and model airplane, 4 hours of which were within the preceding 90 days. The second pilot reported 1,050 hours total flight time, including 60 hours in the accident make and model airplane, 2 hours of which were within the preceding 90 days. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N618K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N618K-2013-04-24), registration cancelled 2013-04-24, S/N AF-759 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C45H - Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AF754 - Airframe hours: 1928 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Evans-Coletta - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1991, 148 hours before - Destination: PHN, PORT HURON, MI - Airport: Y47, New Hudson, runway 25, 3,015 × 37 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,386 total, 52 in this make and model, 4,214 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19950124048059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950124048059A), Jan 24, 1995: Beech C45H, New Hudson, MI, No damage. (-23) While climbing at approximately 150 ft AGL, the left engine lost power when brought back to cruise setting. At this point, gear selector lever was moved… 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.