# NTSB FTW89DRA05: Boeing A75, N1722B, East Bernard, TX, May 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: East Bernard, TX
- Coordinates: 29.520755, -96.059318 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5208&lon=-96.0593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22718
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRA05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22718/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRA05

## Probable cause

WATER IN FUEL FROM IMPROPER SERVICING OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IMPROPER PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT. THE TAILWIND & SOFT/WET TERRAIN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - load jettison
- Nose over, landing
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER THE PLT DEPARTED ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER. CHEMICALS WERE JETTISONED & AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE. HOWEVER, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A MUDDY FIELD WITH A TAILWIND & NOSED OVER. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THERE WAS WATER IN THE FUEL SYS. THE ACDNT OCCURRED AFTER THE ACFT HAD BEEN REFUELED FOR THE 3RD TIME THAT DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1722B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1722B), registered now, S/N 755927, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75
- Registry model: [Boeing A75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75) (registry code 1380108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-5927
- Airframe hours: 4112
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Donald D. Rose, doing business as Rose & Sons Flying Service
- Registered owner: La Donna Marie Rose
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1988, 179 hours before
- Departed: EAST BERNARD, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 9,745 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 21 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg
- Observed at: KHOU, 40 nm away

## 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 19890519014709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890519014709A), May 19, 1989: Boeing A75, East Bernard, TX, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff. Dumped load and cartwheeled on forced landing in a soybean field. Water in 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.

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