# NTSB FTW84LA152: Beech E-55, N1791W, Longview, TX, March 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 29, 1984, 20:41 local (Mar 1, 1984, 02:41 UTC)
- Place: Longview, TX
- Location: 32.5007° N, 94.7405° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Longview, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5007&lon=-94.7405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE LEFT ENGINE CEASED OPERATING. A SHALLOW TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT WAS BEING MADE WHEN THE RIGHTENGINE CEASED OPERATING. A FIELD WAS CHOSEN FOR A FORCED LANDING AND AT TOUCHDOWN A HARD LANDING OCCURRED. INVESTIGATIONREVEALED THAT THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS. THE RIGHT AND LEFT AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS CONTAINED 1 1/2 GALLONS AND 3 GALLONS RESPECTIVELY. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN EITHER ENGINES FUEL SYSTEM. THE RIGHT AND LEFT MAIN FUEL TANKS CONTAINED 29 AND 24 GALLONS OF FUEL RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1791W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1791W-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N TE-891, built 1972 (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: 95-E55
- Airframe hours: 4700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Mid America Airways Inc
- Registered owner: Mid-America Airways Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1981, 156 hours before
- Destination: TYR, TYLER, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,009 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,906 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GGG

## 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 19840229057449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840229057449A), Feb 29, 1984: Beech E55, Longview, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing after takeoff. Aux fuel tanks were almost empty, mains had fuel.

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.