# NTSB FTW90FA015: Beech 58, N950JP, San Antonio, TX, October 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1989, 01:38 local (06:38 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.53914, -98.490814 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5391&lon=-98.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 74-24-03](https://openairdocs.org/ad/74-24-03) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22998
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22998/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA015

## Probable cause

A FUEL TANK LEAK, ARCING FROM THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM, AND FAILURE OF COMPANY/MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO COMPLY WITH AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD).

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuel system,tank - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,aaip/progressive program - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - condition(s)/step(s) not listed (contributing factor)
  - exterior light(s) - arcing (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF, HE ACTIVATED THE STROBE LIGHTS AND TRANSPONDER. APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 5 SECONDS LATER, A MINOR EXPLOSION OCCURRED AND FIRE ENGULFED THE RIGHT WING. THE AIRPLANE HAD A RECENT HISTORY OF FUEL LEAKS IN THE RIGHT WING. A REVIEW OF THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED THAT AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD) 74-24-03 HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THE AD STATED, 'TO PRECLUDE POSSIBLE IGNITION OF FLAMMABLE FLUIDS AND VAPORS BY ARCING BETWEEN THE STROBE LIGHT AND AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE, DEACTIVATE THE STROBE LIGHT SYSTEM.'  THE OPERATOR'S APPROVED AIRCRAFT INSPECTION PROGRAM (AAIP) DID NOT ADDRESS FUEL SYSTEMS AND RELATED COMPONENTS. THE FAA SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED DIRECTIVES REVISING THE OPERATOR'S AAIP TO INCLUDE ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF FUEL SYSTEMS AND RELATED COMPONENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N950JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N950JP-2014-08-26), registration cancelled 2014-08-26, S/N TH-432, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TH432
- Airframe hours: 3791
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Exchange
- Registered owner: Donald C. Auclair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 16, 1989, 18 hours before
- Departed: SAT
- Destination: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SAT, San Antonio Intl, runway 3, 7,505 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19891024042499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891024042499A), Oct 24, 1989: Beech 58, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. On takeoff fire explosion right wing when strobes turned on. History wing fuel leak. AD on same not complied.

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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