# NTSB FTW92LA003: Beech C-45H, N166ZA, Edinburg, TX, October 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1991, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Edinburg, TX
- Location: 26.3017° N, 98.1633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Edinburg, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3017&lon=-98.1633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18395
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18395/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA003

## Probable cause

POWER LOSS DUE TO A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - lubricating system - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATING ON A FERRY PERMIT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED ON THE RIGHT ENGINE DUE TO OIL SYSTEM FAILURE. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A BEAN FIELD ADJACENT TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE RIGHT ENGINE SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME DURING THE LANDING BEFORE COMING TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N166ZA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N166ZA-2012-02-14), registration cancelled 2012-02-14, S/N AF687, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-45H
- Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (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: AF687
- Engines: JACOBS L-6 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: David N. Gouldsmith
- Registered owner: David N. Gouldsmith
- Destination: 31P, INDEPENDENCE, MO
- Airport: NONE, Edinburg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 3,750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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