# NTSB ERA18LA038: Beech B 55, N592SS, Statesville, NC, November 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 17, 2017, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Statesville, NC - Coordinates: 35.766109, -80.965553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7661&lon=-80.9656&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Continental Motors, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96407 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96407/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96407 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA038 ## Probable cause A total loss of left engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following the loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/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 B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: engine out control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062025/cases.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a flight review with a flight instructor in the multiengine airplane when, during the initial climb following a touch-and-go landing, the airplane yawed to the left. The pilot noticed a change in engine sound and the airplane began to descend. The airplane bounced on the runway and collided with a ditch before skidding to a stop on the edge of the taxiway. The fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident. A postaccident examination and test run of the left engine revealed that it was capable of producing full power; however, when rapidly moving the throttle from idle to full power, a total loss of engine power would occur. The engine's timing was off by 3° from that specified by the engine data plate; testing of the fuel control revealed an excessively-rich mixture setting at lower power settings; and fuel was observed leaking from the fuel pump. It could not be determined which of these discrepancies, or combination thereof, contributed to the loss of engine power. Given this information, it is likely that the left engine lost power as the airplane transitioned to climb following the touch-and-go landing. The pilot then lost control of the airplane as it descended, bounced onto, and subsequently departed the runway. ## Factual narrative On November 17, 2017, about 1215 eastern standard time, a Beech B55, N592SS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport (SVH), Statesville, North Carolina. The private pilot and certified flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. According to the private pilot, he was conducting a flight review with a flight instructor. After completing various flight maneuvers in the area, the pilot proceeded to Mid-Carolina Regional Airport (RUQ), Salisbury, North Carolina and practiced an ILS approach to runway 20. After a full stop landing, the pilot departed RUQ and returned to SVH. Upon landing on runway 10, the private pilot raised the flaps and slowly applied full power on both throttles for a touch-and-go landing. Both engines were producing full power and he rotated just above 90 knots indicated airspeed. After liftoff, he noted a change in engine sound as the left engine stopped producing power and the airplane yawed to the left. The airplane descended, bounced on the runway and collided with a ditch before skidding to a stop on the edge of the taxiway. Inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Inspector revealed that the fuselage was buckled. Inspection of the fuel system, flight controls and flight control surfaces revealed no anomalies. The airplane was recovered for further examination. Examination of the right engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the right engine propeller revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the left engine revealed four broken engine mounts and minor dents in the engine oil sump. The oil rod was removed, and the oil level appeared to be slightly over 12 quarts. This engine utilized a 12-quart capacity sump. The top sparkplugs were removed, inspected and found to be dark in color but "normal" when compared to a Champion Spark Plug "Check-A-Plug" chart. Each electrode and center insulator were dark and sooty. A borescope inspection of the cylinders revealed no anomalies. All six cylinders produced thumb compression when the engine crankshaft was manually rotated. The left and right magnetos produced spark at the individual ignition leads when the engine crankshaft was manually rotated. The magneto impulse couplers could be heard as the engine was manually rotated. The engine timing was found set at 23 degrees (the engine data plate specified 20 degrees). The fuel control (throttle body) fuel screen was removed and inspected. Fuel was noted when the screen was removed from the body of the fuel control. No contamination was noted. The fuel injectors were removed, inspected and no anomalies were noted. During apostaccident test run of the left engine, the engine would run to full power; however, when rapidly moving the throttle from idle to full power, the engine stopped. When the throttle was slowly advanced from idle, the engine continued to run. Additionally, during the magneto check at about 2,100 rpm, the engine slowly stopped when the left magneto was selected. The left magneto was replaced and the test was repeated. When the right magneto was selected, the engine again slowly stopped producing power. After the engine run, the fuel control, fuel pump, and fuel manifold were bench tested. The test revealed that at the lower throttle angles (low power settings), the mixture was excessively rich. After the bench test, the fuel pump was disassembled because a small weep of fuel from the back of the pump was observed during the test. The fuel pump's diaphragm appeared to be in good condition with no anomalies noted. A review of the maintenance records revealed that the left engine had been overhauled in January 2017, which included the installation of an overhauled manifold valve and the fuel control, which had also been overhauled in January 2017. Both parts came with a caution tag that stated: "Adjustment of the engine fuel system must be accomplished prior to the release of the aircraft to service." The maintenance logs further noted that the overhauled left and right engines were reinstalled onto the accident airplane in February 2017. The log entry documenting the reinstallation stated, in-part, "Test ran engines to verify operation and set idle speed and mixture and check for leaks." The left engine's most recent annual/100-hour inspection was completed on October 12, 2017, about 62 hours after the engine overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N592SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N592SS-2019-05-01), registration cancelled 2019-05-01, S/N TC2375, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B 55 (A) - Registry model: [Beech B-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-55) (registry code 1152729) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-series) (registry code 17044, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC2375 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 4531 - Engines: Continental IO 470 L (21A 260 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO 470 L (8) 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 2017, 78 hours before - Departed: SVH, Statesville, NC - Destination: SVH, Statesville, NC - Airport: SVH, Statesville Rgnl, runway 10, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,834 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,705 as pilot in command - Flight instructor; age 66; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,120 total, 2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: SVH ## 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 20171117021139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171117021139A), Nov 17, 2017: Beech B-55, Statesville, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot was executing a go-around on runway 10 at svh as part of a flight review. He stated that during climb-out at approximately 50 feet AGL there was a… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96407. 30.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9019793&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA038_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9020037&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20statement%20LA038-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9020074&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20FAA%20examination%20summary%20%20LA038-Rel.pdf - Memoradum of record cmi (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9020197&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20Continental%20Motors%20examination%20summary%20%20LA038-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 5, PDF, 17 pages, 20.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9020290&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20logbook%20excerpts%20N592SS_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine test report (item 6, PDF, 8 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9019199&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Report-Rel.pdf - Engine test data (item 7, PDF, 5 pages, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9019904&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20test%20data%20IO470-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 8, PDF, 4 pages, 318 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9019401&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array%20LA038-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 9, PDF, 10 pages, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9019802&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11353576&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence-Control-Change-of-Custody%20ERA18LA038-Rel.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.