# NTSB FTW90LA025: Beech 95, N17AT, Floydada, TX, November 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1989, 18:00 local (Nov 11, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Floydada, TX
- Coordinates: 33.980503, -101.330513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9805&lon=-101.3305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23074/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA025

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER ATTACHMENT BOLTS DUE TO FATIGUE IN FOUR OF THE BOLTS AND OVERLOAD IN ANOTHER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND THE DETERIORATED AIRPLANE CONTROL/PREFORMANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,spinner - separation
  - propeller system/accessories - separation (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,prop blade retention - fatigue (cause)
  - fuselage - penetrated
  - electrical system - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS AT CRUISE, THE RIGHT PROPELLER SPINNER FELL OFF. THREE OR FOUR MINUTES LATER, THE RIGHT PROPELLER CAME OFF AND CUT INTO THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE. WITH NO ELECTRICAL POWER, AND DETERIORATED AIRPLANE CONTROL, THE PILOT MADE A WHEELS-UP LANDING ON THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE RIGHT PROPELLER AND THE CENTER OF THE STARTER RING WERE NOT RECOVERED. FIVE OF THE PROPELLER ATTACHMENT BOLTS REMAINED IN THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT FLANGE. LABORATORY VISUAL INSPECTION INDICATED FOUR OF THESE BOLTS FAILED FROM FATIGUE AND THE FIFTH FAILED FROM OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17AT-1991-10-29), registration cancelled 1991-10-29, S/N TD107 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95
- Registry model: [Beech 95](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95) (registry code 1153402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TD107
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: B & H Aviation
- Registered owner: Terry L. Fitzgerald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1989
- Departed: F67, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX
- Destination: Q41
- Airport: Q41, Floydada Municipal, runway 17, 3,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,120 total, 200 in this make and model, 995 as pilot in command, 345 in the last 90 days, 140 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 16 °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 19891110044839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891110044839A), Nov 10, 1989: Beech 95, Floydada, TX, Substantial damage. Bolts holding right propeller failed. Prop assembly struck fuselage. Lost electronics. Did not crank gear down.

## Other investigations on N17AT (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 MIA86LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA116), Apr 8, 1986: Beech BE-95 (N17AT), Hollywood, FL, 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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