# NTSB MIA86LA125: Beech B95A, N951Q, St. Augustine, FL, April 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1986, 20:15 local (Apr 20, 1986, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.898241, -81.287452 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8982&lon=-81.2875&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31605/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA125

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - not switched (cause)
  - checklist - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Ditching, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT IN COMMAND DID NOT ASSURE THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR FOR THE LEFT ENGINE WAS SELECTED AND IN THE DETENT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. ON THE INITIAL CLIMB THE FUEL SELECTOR MOVED SLIGHTLY AND THE LEFT ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE PILOT THEN DID NOT EXECUTE THE APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND LEFT THE LANDING GEAR DOWN AND DID NOT FEATHER THE LEFT PROPELLER. THE PILOT THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND CRASHED INTO THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N951Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N951Q-1990-08-06), registration cancelled 1990-08-06, S/N TD491 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B95A
- Registry model: [Beech B95A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b95a) (registry code 1153406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TD-491
- Airframe hours: 2719
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Prather
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1985, 29 hours before
- Destination: SFB, SANFORD, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,097 total, 155 in this make and model, 754 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX, 18 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 19860419013209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860419013209A), Apr 19, 1986: Beech B95A, St Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. Left engine quit on takeoff. Crashed in north river. Left fuel selector out of detent, prop unfeathered,gear down.

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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