# NTSB IAD78FA047: Beech B65, N342N, Norfolk, VA, March 4, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 4, 1978
- Place: Norfolk, VA · NORFOLK, VA
- Location: 36.8468° N, 76.2852° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norfolk, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8468&lon=-76.2852&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD78FA047
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA047

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0446   78/3/4    NORFOLK,VA          BEECH B65           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1133                    N342N               PX-  0  0  6  AIR TAXI-PASSG            AGE 37, 4441 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            15 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NORFOLK INTL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NORFOLK,VA                  MYRTLE BEACH,SC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           WHEELS-UP                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ASSURE THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        FACTOR(S)
           SYSTEMS - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: RELAYS AND WIRING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ARCING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERHEATED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ELECTRICAL FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        REMARKS- RT ENG STARTER RELAY CONTACT POINTS FUSED TOGETHER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N342N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N342N-2017-07-03), registration cancelled 2017-07-03, S/N LC-96, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B65
- Registry model: [Beech 65](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65) (registry code 1152802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GSO&IGSO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-gso-igso-480-series) (registry code 41529, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Norfolk Intl

## 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 19780304012389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780304012389A), Mar 4, 1978: Beech 65, Norfolk, VA, Substantial damage. Rt eng starter relay contact points fused together.

## Other investigations on N342N (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 FTW69F0025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0025), Jun 10, 1968: Beech 65 (N342N), Garland, TX, 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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