# NTSB MIA97LA130: Boeing B75N1, N65467, Lake Wales, FL, April 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 10, 1997, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Lake Wales, FL - Coordinates: 27.900785, -81.580825 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9008&lon=-81.5808&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 January 19, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38256 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38256/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA130 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot stated that the engine began losing power about 150 feet agl during climbout. He made a left crosswind turn to enter closed traffic and land; however, the airspeed started to decrease and the airplane could not maintain altitude. According to the pilot, there was only a partial loss of power. The pilot made a forced landing straight ahead, and the airplane collided with trees and terrain. Postaccident examination of the engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash failure or malfunction. Induction and fuel system components sustained impact damage or were consumed by fire. The fuel selector valve was found in the OFF position. The pilot stated that he could not specifically recall shutting off the fuel selector valve after impact. However, he stated that he had initiated an aircraft securing procedure before he was forced to evacuate because of leaking fuel and the ensuing fire. ## Factual narrative On April 10, 1997, about 1820 eastern daylight time a Boeing B75N1, N65467, registered to Avenger Technology Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed after takeoff from River Ranch Airstrip, Lake Wales, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he was about 150 feet on climbout over the runway when the engine quit developing full power. He made a left crosswind turn in an attempt to enter closed traffic and land. The airspeed started to decrease and the airplane would not maintain altitude. There were no forced landing areas available. He stopped the turn, made a forced landing straight ahead and collided with trees and terrain. The airplane was consumed by postcrash fire. Examination of the engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. The fuel selector valve was found in the off position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65467](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65467), registered now, S/N 75-6928, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing B75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-6928 - Airframe hours: 2446 - Engines: Continental W-670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jon B. Biddle - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1996, 55 hours before - Departed: 2RR - Destination: LAL, LAKELAND, FL - Airport: 2RR, River Ranch, runway 34, 4,950 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,923 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,777 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MLB, 60 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 19970410010099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970410010099A), Apr 10, 1997: Boeing B75N1, River Ranch, FL, Destroyed. Lost power on climbout struck trees and burned. No engine defects. Fuel selector in off position. (-23) on take off the pilot said the engine stopped… 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.