# NTSB DEN85LA071: Beech 76, N1850S, Grand Forks, ND, January 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1985, 08:49 local (15:49 UTC)
- Place: Grand Forks, ND
- Coordinates: 47.910182, -97.069992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9102&lon=-97.0700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA071

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - improper, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON SUNDAY 1/27/85 AT APPROXIMATELY 0849 MST, A BEECH DUCHESSN1850S, ON LEASE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA CRASHED AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE GRAND FORKS AIRPORT, GRAND FORKS, ND.THE STUDENT PILOT AND CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORE WERE NOT INJURED. TWO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEATS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THERE WAS NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED AND VMC PREVAILED. THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THIS FLIGHT WAS A TRAINING FLIGHT IN A MULTI-ENGINE AIRCRAFT. THE STUDENT PILOT INITIATED THE FLIGHT ON RUNWAY 34R. AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 150 FT. ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL) THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SIMULATED AN ENGINE FAILURE RETARDING THE LEFT THROTTLE. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS SLOW TO REACT TO THE FAILURE AND THE AIRSPEED DROPPED BELOW VMC. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN FLYING SPEED BY INCREASING BOTH ENGINES TO FUEL POWER. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN AIRSPEED BEFORE GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1850S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1850S-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N ME-428, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 76
- Registry model: [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76) (registry code 1153005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ME-428
- Airframe hours: 2128
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1GGD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: University Of North Dakota
- Registered owner: Beech Acceptance Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 25, 1985, 14 hours before
- Airport: GFK, Mark Andrews Int'L, runway 35R, 3,400 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,430 total, 200 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFK, 1 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 19850127019359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850127019359A), Jan 27, 1985: Beech 76, Grand Forks, ND, Destroyed. Student used left aileron with nose up after power was pulled on left engine. Impacted ground beside runway.

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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