# NTSB ERA19TA105: Beech 76, N7KY, Frankfort, KY, February 21, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 21, 2019, 10:26 local (15:26 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, KY
- Coordinates: 38.183055, -84.900001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1831&lon=-84.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 10, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19TA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99005/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99005
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA105

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a simulated single-engine go-around, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 76, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 76, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot in the left seat was receiving instruction to obtain a commercial multiengine rating and was performing a practice left engine-out approach. He indicated that he determined that he had the runway "made" and reduced throttle on the right engine. He stated that the airplane "settled" too much, and he added throttle without compensating with the appropriate aileron and rudder inputs. The approach became unstable, and he called for a go-around and added full right throttle while the airplane was below minimum controllable airspeed. The instructor indicated that this occurred before he could stop the pilot and that the airplane reacted quickly with a yaw and roll to the left. The airplane collided with the ground in a left-wing-low attitude, caught fire, and sustained substantial damage from the impact forces and postaccident fire. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On February 21, 2019, about 1026 eastern standard time, a Beech 76 airplane, N7KY, collided with terrain during an aborted landing at Capital City Airport (FFT), Frankfurt, Kentucky. The commercial pilot was not injured and a flight instructor incurred minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was operated by Nexgen Aviation LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed near the accident site, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Lexington, Kentucky about 0910, and was destined for FFT. The rated pilot in the left seat was receiving instruction to obtain a commercial multiengine rating. According to the flight instructor in the right seat, a practice localizer approach to runway 25 at FFT was requested and they received vectors for the approach. The instructor briefed for the pilot to perform a simulated left engine out approach to a full stop. The emergency single engine procedure was briefed, the landing gear were lowered and the flaps were confirmed up. The left engine was set to zero thrust. While over runway 25, at a point between the runway numbers and the 1,000 ft mark on the runway, about 20 feet above the landing surface, the pilot under instruction added power to the right engine while below minimum controllable airspeed. This occurred before the flight instructor could stop him. The airplane reacted quickly with a yaw and roll to the left. The airplane contacted the ground between the runway and parallel taxiway, continued across the taxiway, and down an embankment. The airplane came to rest about 150 ft from the taxiway and caught fire. Both pilots egressed the airplane and were met by first responders. The pilot receiving instruction reported that he maneuvered the airplane to an extended final approach to runway 25. Once established on final, he noticed that the altitude was lower than the previous approach. Once he determined that he had the runway "made," he began to reduce power on the right engine. The aircraft "settled low," so he added right throttle to re-establish the glide path. In doing so, he did not add the required control inputs of aileron and rudder. The approach became unstable, and he announced, "go around" and moved the right throttle full forward. The airplane immediately entered an uncontrollable left yaw and roll and struck the ground in a left-wing low attitude. He later reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Both wings and the fuselage were structurally damaged from impact and the postaccident fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7KY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7KY-2020-05-02), registration cancelled 2020-05-02, S/N ME-139, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech 76 (No Series)
- Registry model: [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76) (registry code 1153005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ME-139
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 8821
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1G6D 180 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming LO-360-A1G6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Nexgen Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: Nexgen Aircraft Leasing Llc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 2019, 17 hours before
- Departed: LEX, Lexington, KY
- Destination: FFT, Frankfort, KY
- Airport: FFT, Capital City Airport, runway 25, 5,506 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 639 total, 16 in this make and model, 431 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days
- Flight instructor; age 76; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 22,189 total, 78 in this make and model, 16,312 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: FFT

## 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 20190221010419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190221010419A), Feb 21, 2019: Beech 76, Frankfort, KY, Destroyed. Frankfort, KY (fft): N7KY, BE76, crashed off the departure end of runway 25 for unknown reasons while conducting a training flight. The aircraft Caught fire…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 28, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99005. 13.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Operator (item 1, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Operator-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Flight Instructor (item 2, .PDF, 508 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Flight%20Instructor-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Student Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 5.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Student%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Written Statement (item 4, .PDF, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477239&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 5, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477240&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Frankfort Police Report (item 6, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477241&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Frankfort%20Police%20Report-Master.PDF
- Photo Array (item 7, .PDF, 7 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477242&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.

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