# NTSB FTW87FA100: Beech D55, N413S, Cameron, LA, April 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1987, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Cameron, LA
- Coordinates: 29.789268, -93.290817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7893&lon=-93.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22241/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - loose (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vyse) - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER AT ROTATION BUT, DUE TO THE SHORT RUNWAY (2500-SOD), THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF. HE SWITCHED THE LEFT FUEL SELECTOR, PLACED THE BOOST PUMP SWITCH IN THE 'HIGH' POSITION AND RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS BUT DID NOT FEATHER THE LEFT PROPELLER. THE AIRSPEED DETERIORATED TO ABOUT 85 MPH. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A SMALL PERPENDICULAR ORIENTED ROADWAY BUT WAS TOO LOW AND SLOW FOR LANDING ALIGNMENT. HE THEREFORE REDUCED POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE AND LANDED IN THE MARSH. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATIOIN REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN FUEL STRAINER BOWL WAS LOOSE ENOUGH TO ALLOW INTRODUCTION ON AIR INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N413S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N413S-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N TE-657, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D55
- Registry model: [Beech D55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d55) (registry code 1152730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE657
- Airframe hours: 3970
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Industrial Helicopters
- Registered owner: Industrial Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1R5, CAMERON, LA
- Destination: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Airport: 1R5, Cameron

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,662 total, 500 in this make and model, 17,220 as pilot in command, 297 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19870421010639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870421010639A), Apr 21, 1987: Beech D55, Cameron, LA, Substantial damage. Left engine failed on takeoff. Pilot did not feather prop. Aircraft landed in a marsh. Fuel filter bowl found loose.

## Other investigations on N413S (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW77FRJ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FRJ12), Jul 1, 1977: Beech D55 (N413S), Natchitoches, LA, substantial damage

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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