# NTSB ERA14CA040: Beech E 55, N1908L, Blountville, TN, November 5, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 5, 2013, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Blountville, TN - Coordinates: 36.471668, -82.404441 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4717&lon=-82.4044&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88407 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88407/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88407 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed reaction and loss of directional control while performing a simulated engine failure during the takeoff roll. A factor in the accident was the CFI's delayed reaction to the loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech E-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech E-55, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1152732), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot and the certificated flight instructor (CFI), the intent of the flight was a proficiency check required by the pilot's insurance carrier, and that the accident occurred while performing a simulated engine failure during the takeoff roll. The pilot reported that after the CFI retarded the power on an engine, the airplane veered to the right. As the airplane exited the edge of the runway he attempted to ground loop it in order to avoid an antenna that was directly in their path. The CFI reported that the pilot "delayed in retarding the power." The CFI subsequently retarded both mixtures, in an attempt to stop the airplane. The airplane subsequently impacted an antenna, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage of the airplane. The CFI reported no abnormities with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot and the certificated flight instructor (CFI), the intent of the flight was a proficiency check required by the pilot's insurance carrier, and that the accident occurred while performing a simulated engine failure during the takeoff roll. The pilot reported that after the CFI retarded the power on an engine, the airplane veered to the right. As the airplane exited the edge of the runway he attempted to ground loop it in order to avoid an antenna that was directly in their path. The CFI reported that the pilot "delayed in retarding the power." The CFI subsequently retarded both mixtures, in an attempt to stop the airplane. The airplane subsequently impacted an antenna, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage of the airplane. The CFI reported no abnormities with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1908L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1908L-2018-02-09), registration cancelled 2018-02-09, S/N TE-1084, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH E 55 - Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TE-1084 - Year built: 1976 - Engines: Continental Motors IO 520 260 horsepower reciprocating; Continental Motors IO 520 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Tug Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Tug Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: TRI, Blountville, TN - Destination: TRI, Blountville, TN - Airport: TRI, Tri-Cities Rgnl Tn/Va, runway 05, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,810 total, 1 in this make and model, 865 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 46; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 2, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 13,862 total, 500 in this make and model, 11,579 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.44 inHg - Observed at: KTRI ## 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 20131105022189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131105022189A), Nov 5, 2013: Beech E-55, Blountville, TN, Substantial damage. This was a pre-planned aborted take off maneuver. An engine failure was induced by pulling the right mixture to idle cut off. The aircraft departed the runway… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88407. 457 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview with Both Pilots (item 2, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview%20with%20Both%20Pilots-Master.PDF - Tri-City Airport Weather (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tri-City%20Airport%20Weather-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.