DEN04LA128

NTSB accident investigation · Beech 95-B55 · Roosevelt, UT · August 20, 2004

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 20, 2004, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC)
Place
Roosevelt, UT
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N120FBeech 95-B55
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 30, 2005
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20040820018859A
Case key
59960

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalClimb
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
In flight collision with objectEmergency landing
Object - tree(s)
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled
Terrain condition - none suitableFactor
Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

According to the pilot, the left engine began to run rough shortly after departing runway 07. He noticed a loss in indicated fuel pressure and within a few moments, the left engine lost power and then quit. The pilot made several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine. The pilot attempted an immediate left turn to return to the airport. The 270-degree left turn resulted in a loss of altitude and improper line-up with runway 25. The pilot completed a 90-degree right turn as the airplane crossed the airport's access road. The airplane continued to descend as it struck several trees and impacted terrain southwest of the airport. The impact separated both engines and the nose and main landing gear assemblies from the fuselage. Approximately 3 feet of the outboard section of each wing was crushed upwards and aft. According to an FAA inspector, the mixture was in the full rich position and the fuel boost pumps were off. Although the airplane's right wing was compromised, there was visible fuel in the left wing.

Factual narrative

On August 20, 2004, at approximately 0630 mountain daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, N120F, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Roosevelt Municipal Airport (74V), Roosevelt, Utah. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal cross-country flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, the left engine began to run rough shortly after departing runway 07. He noticed a loss in indicated fuel pressure and within a few moments, the left engine lost power and then quit. The pilot said that he adjusted the mixture and made several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine. The pilot attempted to return to the airport, but he was unable to maintain altitude, and was forced to land in a field southwest of the airport.

According to an FAA inspector, the pilot attempted an immediate left turn to return to the airport. The 270-degree left turn resulted in a loss of altitude and improper line-up with runway 25. The pilot completed a 90-degree right turn as the airplane crossed the airport's access road. The airplane continued to descend as it struck several trees and impacted terrain southwest of the airport. The impact separated the nose and main landing gear assemblies from the fuselage. Approximately 3 feet of the outboard section of each wing was crushed upwards and aft. Both engines were separated from the airplane.

According to the inspector, the pilot stated that he visually checked both tanks for fuel before takeoff. During the initial climb, the pilot kept the mixture in the full rich position and did not turn the fuel boost pumps on after the left engine began to run rough. Although the airplane's right wing was compromised, there was visible fuel in the left wing.

The airplane's last annual inspection was performed on March 3, 2004, at a tachometer reading of 416.8 hours. The tachometer reading at the time of the accident was 417.3 hours.

According to the inspector, the pilot's logbook showed approximately 1,268 hours of flight time, of which 326 hours were in a Beech 95-B55, including 7.2 hours since March 18, 2004, that was logged in N120F.

On November 17, 2004, an examination of the left engine revealed that the engine's oil pan and exhaust manifold were crushed upward, the intake manifold was crushed aft and the left magneto was separated from the engine. Due to impact damage, a test-run of the engine could not be accomplished. The propeller spinner was crushed aft and twisted in a counter-clockwise direction. Both propeller blades showed torsional bending and chordwise scratches. Engine continuity was confirmed.

The pilot did not provide a Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) for this accident.

Aircraft

Registration
N120F
Reported as
Beech 95-B55
Category
Airplane
Serial number
TC-684
Airframe hours
4,491
Engine
Continental IO-470, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Leon Ross Drilling and Construction Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · March 3, 2004 · 0.5 hours before
Departed
74V · Roosevelt, UT
Destination
GJT · Roosevelt, UT
Airport
74V · Roosevelt Municipal

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
61
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
1,268 total · 326 in this make and model · 4 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
280° at 4 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
52 °F, dew point 48 °F
Altimeter
30.15 inHg
Observed at
KVEL, 31 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.