# NTSB FTW84LA048: Beech E55, N911J, Terrell, TX, November 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1983, 00:15 local (06:15 UTC)
- Place: Terrell, TX
- Coordinates: 32.729038, -96.29058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7290&lon=-96.2906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA048

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (cause)
  - autopilot/flight director - engaged
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
  - descent - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

DURING A FLT, LATE AT NIGHT, THE PLT TURNED ON THE HEATER. ABOUT 40 TO 45 MI NORTH OF THE LEONA VOR, HE REPORTEDLY ENGAGED THE AUTOPLT & BEGAN WORKING ON THE FLT LOGS. ABOUT 50 MI FURTHER NORTH, THE ACFT FLEW INTO A FIELD IN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE PLT COULD NOT RECALL ANYTHING ABOUT THE TIME FROM ENGAGEMENT OF THE AUTOPILOT UNTIL IMPACT. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE AUX FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY & NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL FLOW DIVIDER OR FUEL INJECTOR LINES. ALSO, THE PROP BLADES WERE BENT AFT. THE PLT SUSPECTED CARBON MONXIDE FROM THE HEATER. HOWEVER, AN EXAM OF THE HEATER REVEALED IT WAS WELL WITHIN PUBLISHED PARAMETERS & HAD NO SIGNIFICANT DISCREPANCIES. THE PLT WAS ALSO EMPLOYED AS A CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR DURING THE DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N911J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E55
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-916
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Mid America Airways
- Registered owner: H. G. Weiser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: DAL, DALLAS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,735 total, 42 in this make and model, 1,640 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 350° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19831111074099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831111074099A), Nov 11, 1983: Beech E55, Terrell, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft descended and collided with the ground during night cargo flight. Pilot could not recall what happened.

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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