# NTSB ERA12LA503: Beech 95-A55, N1572S, Homerville, GA, July 27, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 2012, 15:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Homerville, GA - Coordinates: 31.035554, -82.750831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0356&lon=-82.7508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84652 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA503 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84652/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84652 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA503 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to debris within the engine-driven fuel pump. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-A55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=1152704), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-A55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=1152704), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Beech 95-A55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=1152704), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 95-A55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1152704), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech 95-A55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1152704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 95-A55, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1152704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight at 5,000 feet mean sea level, the left engine suddenly lost power. The pilot did not notice a loss of oil pressure or increased engine temperature indication before the power loss. He feathered the left engine propeller, but the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. Unable to reach a suitable airport, the pilot landed the airplane on a road, and it then veered off the road into a ditch. During a test run of the left engine, it would only run when the airframe electric fuel boost pump was in the "on" position. When the boost pump was turned off, the engine would stop running. The engine-driven fuel pump was removed and examined, and debris was found blocking the vapor return jet in the fuel pump. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2012, about 1535 eastern daylight time, a Beechcraft 95-A55, N1572S, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Homerville, Georgia. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Spread Your Wings LLC., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight from Douglas Municipal Airport (DQH), Georgia to Flying Ten Airport (0J8), Archer, Florida. The flight originated from DQH at 1500. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at 5,000 feet mean sea level, approximately five nautical miles from Homerville Airport (HOE), Homerville, Georgia, there was a sudden loss of power in the left engine. The pilot reported no indication of a loss in oil pressure or increased engine temperature prior to the loss of power. The pilot feathered the left propeller and began a descent into HOE. Although the left propeller was feathered, the airplane could not maintain altitude. The pilot realized he would not be able to make it to HOE and decided to make a forced landing on a road. During the landing roll out the airplane veered off the road into a ditch. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector on scene confirmed structural damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The airplane was defueled and no debris was found within the fuel prior to the aircraft recovery. During the examination of the left engine a test run was conducted. It was noted that the engine would only run when the airframe electric fuel boost pump was in the on position. When the boost pump was turned off the engine would stop running. The engine driven fuel pump was removed and examined. The drive coupling was intact and not damaged, and the fuel pump drive shaft rotated freely. The engine driven fuel pump was removed and sent to Continental Motors Incorporated (CMI) Analytical Department for examination. The engine driven fuel pump was flow tested and disassembled by CMI under the supervision of a NTSB investigator. During the examination, debris was found blocking the vapor return jet in the fuel pump. Once the debris was removed, the fuel pump flowed correctly. A review of the left engine logbook revealed that the fuel line from the firewall to engine driven fuel pump was replaced the day prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1572S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1572S-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N TC-316, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 95-A55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-A55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-a55) (registry code 1152704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-316 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 4890 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Spread Your Wings LLC - Registered owner: Spread Your Wings LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 2011, 100 hours before - Departed: DQH, Douglas, GA - Destination: 0J8, Archer, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: HOE, Homerville Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 8, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: HOE, 5 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 20120727014989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120727014989A), Jul 27, 2012: Beech 95-A55, Homerville, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated by telephone that the aircraft was flying south at 5000FEET when the left hand engine stopped producing power. He feathered the propellor on the… ## Other investigations on N1572S (2) 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. - [NTSB CHI77FEC10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEC10), Jan 23, 1977: Beech A55 (N1572S), Detroit, MI, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI70FBJ42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70FBJ42), Jun 23, 1970: Beech 95-A55 (N1572S), Alma, MI, substantial damage ## Docket (12 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84652. 17.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Aircraft logbook pages (item 2, .PDF, 818 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Aircraft%20logbook%20pages-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Left and Right engine logbook pages (item 3, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Left%20and%20Right%20engine%20logbook%20pages-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Left fuel pump report (item 4, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Left%20fuel%20pump%20report-Redacted.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 5, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1-FAA photo- View of airplane in the ditch (item 7, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-FAA%20photo-%20View%20of%20airplane%20in%20the%20ditch%20-Master.PDF - Photo 2-Recovery photo-View of left damaged wing (item 8, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-Recovery%20photo-View%20of%20left%20damaged%20wing-Master.PDF - Photo 3-Recovery photo-View of the damaged nose section of airplane (item 9, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-Recovery%20photo-View%20of%20the%20damaged%20nose%20section%20of%20airplane-Master.PDF - Photo 4-Front view of left engine (item 10, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403946&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-Front%20view%20of%20left%20engine%20-Master.PDF - Photo 5-Top view of engine prior to examination (item 11, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403948&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205-Top%20view%20of%20engine%20prior%20to%20examination-Master.PDF - Photo 6-View of fuel pump internal bladder showing remnants of debris (item 12, .PDF, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206-View%20of%20fuel%20pump%20internal%20bladder%20showing%20remnants%20of%20debris-Master.PDF 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.