# NTSB ERA15LA334: Beech B19, N2013G, Dexter, ME, August 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 2015, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Dexter, ME - Coordinates: 45.000556, -69.2425 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0006&lon=-69.2425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91906 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA334 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91906/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91906 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA334 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B19, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech B19, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Beech B19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot and flight instructor had flown for about 30 minutes before landing and conducting a subsequent takeoff. The instructor stated that, during the initial climb, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. He conducted a forced landing to a field during which the airplane impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall, fuselage, and left wing. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. The flight instructor calculated that the total distance required to clear a 50-ft obstacle during the takeoff was 1,300 ft; however, postaccident calculations based on performance data in the airplane's flight manual indicated a required takeoff distance of about 1,700 ft. Given that there were 30-ft-tall trees located 50 ft beyond the departure end of the 1,250-ft-long turf runway, it is likely that the airplane had insufficient distance available for takeoff and initial climb to clear the trees. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2015, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Beech B19, N2013G, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain near Dexter Regional Airport (1B0), Dexter, Maine. The flight instructor sustained serious injuries and the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local instructional flight, operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to the flight instructor, the airplane initially departed Old Town Airport (OLD), Old Town, Maine, around 0800. There, he and the student pilot had performed a preflight inspection together with no anomalies noted. The student pilot noted that there was about 43 gallons of fuel in the airplane and drained all three sump points with no evidence of water found in the fuel tanks. The engine oil level was at 6 quarts, which was within limits, as was the drop of engine rpm during the magneto check in the engine run-up. After taking off from runway 22, the flight proceeded toward 1B0. After about 30 minutes, the airplane overflew the runway, fuel tanks were switched, and the airplane landed uneventfully on runway 34. After landing, the flaps were fully retracted and the carburetor heat was secured. The fuel boost pump remained on. According to the flight instructor, "We had already calculated the ground roll and 50' clearance and found that we had the length necessary with reasonable margin for error based on temperature, and expected performance and were anticipating to be off the ground in no more than 700' and clear a 50' obstacle by around 1,300'.". After taxiing to runway 25, the student pilot commenced the takeoff roll at the threshold with full power; oil pressure, fuel pressure, and temperature were "normal." In addition, the throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat were checked to be in their correct full forward positions. According to the flight instructor, with the student pilot at the controls, the airplane lifted off the turf runway, about 600 ft down the runway. The climb was "normal" until about 50 or 60 ft above the runway, and just as the airplane was approaching the departure end the flight instructor noticed that the engine power "suddenly" dropped by 200 rpm, and that the airplane was no longer climbing. The flight instructor took the controls and saw a slight clearing ahead and to the left. He turned the airplane in a 10° bank toward the clearing, and it started slowly sinking into a tree line. Just before the airplane hit the first tree, the instructor extended the flaps in an attempt to clear it. The propeller was still turning as the instructor heard it cut through the 50-ft tree, although "it could have been wind-milling." The instructor believed the propeller then stopped spinning entirely, the airplane descended into a second tree, and tumbled to the ground. According to the flight instructor, the airplanewas manufactured in 1978. It was equipped with a Lycoming O-320 series, 150-hp, engine. The most recent annual inspection was performed July 21, 2015. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airframe had accumulated 5,168 total hours of operation at the time of the accident. According to the airplane's type certificate data sheet, its maximum gross weight was 2,150 pounds. The flight instructor reported that the airplane's weight at the time of the accident was 2,000 pounds. The 0853 recorded weather observation at Bangor International Airport (BGR), Bangor, Maine, located about 22 nautical miles southeast of the accident location, included wind from 210° at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, overcast clouds at 25,000 ft agl, temperature 17°C, dew point 14°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.17 inches of mercury. 1B0 was located 3 miles east of Dexter, Maine, at an elevation of 533 feet msl. It had two runways designated as 16/34 and 7/25. Runway 16/34 was an asphalt runway, which was 3,008 ft-long by 75-ft-wide. Runway 7/25 was a turf runway, which was 1,250 ft long and 120 ft wide. There were 30 ft-tall trees located about 50 feet beyond the departure end of runway 25. The airplane came to rest inverted about 400 feet from the departure end of runway 25. The firewall, left wing, and fuselage were substantially damaged. Fuel was noted draining from the wings. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft. One propeller blade remained straight and the other blade was bent aft about 30°. An examination of the engine by an FAA inspector revealed no obvious mechanical anomalies with the engine. The carburetor icing probability chart from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention, June 30, 2009, showed a probability of serious icing at glide power at the temperature and dew point reported at the time of the accident. According to manufacturer published performance information, assuming a takeoff weight of 2,150 pounds, the total ground roll required to take off on a grass surface at sea level with calm wind and a temperature of 15°C was 1,105 ft, and the total distance required to clear a 50 ft obstacle was 1,710 ft. The total ground roll required to takeoff on a grass surface at sea level with calm wind at 25°C was 1,220 ft, and the total distance required to clear a 50 ft obstacle was 1,886 ft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2013G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2013G-2016-09-15), registration cancelled 2016-09-15, S/N MB-903, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B19 - Registry model: [Beech B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b19) (registry code 1151215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MB-903 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 5168 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 2015 - Departed: 1B0, Dexter, ME - Destination: 1B0, Dexter, ME - Airport: 1B0, Dexter Regional, runway 25, 1,250 × 120 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 37; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 30, 2014; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,490 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,393 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 18; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 46 total, 24 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: BGR, 22 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 20150829020049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150829020049A), Aug 29, 2015: Beech B19, Dexter, ME, Substantial damage. The instructor and student pilot departed old town Maine at 0800 and landed in Dexter Maine on runway 34. The pilot back taxied to the grass runway 25 and… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91906. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 596 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - CFI History of Flight Statement (item 2, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20History%20of%20Flight%20Statement-Master.PDF - Student Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Observations (item 5, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - 1B0 Airport Information (item 6, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=1B0%20Airport%20Information-Master.PDF - Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 3 photos, 618 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Carburetor Icing Chart (item 8, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Chart-Master.PDF - Take Off Performance Chart (item 9, .PDF, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Take%20Off%20Performance%20Chart-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.