# NTSB MIA03LA023: Beech 35-B33, N8578M, Gainesville, GA, December 3, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 3, 2002, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Gainesville, GA - Coordinates: 34.272777, -83.826667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2728&lon=-83.8267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 56157 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56157/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA023 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reason resulting in damage to the airplane during the subsequent forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,static - object - vehicle ## Analysis During the initial climb, the pilot reported the engine began making a "loud noise and lost power." The pilot attempted to return to the airport, but could not maintain altitude, and elected to perform a forced landing on a street. As the airplane approached the street it struck some wires, landed in the street, and struck several parked cars. After the accident the engine was test run, and no discrepancies were found during the engine run. ## Factual narrative On December 3, 2002, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Beech 35-B33, N8578M, registered to and operated by an individual, struck wires, and then impacted with several vehicles during a forced landing on a street in Gainesville, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight had originated from Gainsville, Georga, at 1510. According to the pilot, he departed Gainesville, as the airplane was climbing, and had reached an altitude of 2,500 mean sea level, the engine began making a "loud noise and lost power." The pilot turned the airplane back towards the airport, but due to his location from the airport, and because he could not maintain altitude, he elected to perform a forced landing on a street. As the airplane approached the street it struck wires landed in the street, and struck several parked cars. An engine test run was performed on the engine from N8578M, under the supervision of the FAA. According to the FAA inspector's statement, the engine was mounted in a holding fixture, which in turn was mounted to a large trailer. A test club (propeller) was installed. The engine was rotated through with the starter for the purpose of checking magneto operation. The magnetos "operated properly" during this test. Several attempts were made to start the engine, and they were unsuccessful. The engine ran briefly, but would not sustain itself. A check of the fuel system was performed and fuel was noted to be present, in pressures and quantities sufficient enough to run the engine. The engine was started again, and ran without hesitation. Oil pressure came up to 55 psi, and fuel pressure stabilized at 5.5 psi. The throttle was cycled from idle to 2,000 rpm without any difficulties noted. Individual magneto checks were performed satisfactorily. Total run time for this test was about 4 minutes. No discrepancies were found during the engine run. The airplane's logbooks where returned to Mr. Mark Thompson, assistant Vice President for claims, on behalf of the owner's insurance company on January 22, 2003. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8578M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8578M-2004-04-16), registration cancelled 2004-04-16, S/N CD-648, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35-B33 - Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD-648 - Airframe hours: 4783 - Engines: Continental IO-470-K3B 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ralph W. Duggan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 2002, 100 hours before - Departed: GVL, Gainesville, GA - Airport: GVL, Lee Gilmer Memorial, runway 4, 5,004 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 2, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: GVL, 2 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 20021203032849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021203032849A), Dec 3, 2002: Beech 35B33, Gainsville, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot statement from 6120.1/2 pilot/operator aircraft accident report: after departing the Gainsville, GA. Airport, the aircraft engine sounded normal… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.