# NTSB MIA99FA095: Beech AT11/18, N65860, Tampa, FL, February 27, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: February 27, 1999, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Tampa, FL - Coordinates: 27.950035, -82.479507 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9500&lon=-82.4795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99FA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45828/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99FA095 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in an inadvertent stall at too low an altitude to allow for recovery. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - aircraft control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - roadway/highway ## Analysis Witnesses saw the airplane depart the airport to the south, turn left at an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground (agl), fly downwind to the departure runway, climb to an altitude of about 800 to 1,000 feet, and then turn right. A witness, who was operating a crane near the crash site said, he saw the airplane approaching from the south heading towards the north, turn to the right (east), and flew directly over him. He told police officers that he could see both propellers 'spinning,' and could 'actually see the pilot flying the plane.' The witness said, '...[the] motor sounded fine...[and the airplane] took a sharp downward fall, hit the road and bounced in the air, then fire started....' Other witnesses said they saw the angle of bank increase, the airplane descend rapidly, impact on a four-lane hard surface road right wing first, strike a wooden power pole, burst into flames, and come to rest in marshy area on the eastside of the road. Examination of the airframe, engine and propeller revealed no discrepancies. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 27, 1999, about 1010 eastern standard time, a Beech AT11/18, N65860, registered to a private individual, crashed shortly after takeoff from Peter O'Knight Airport, Tampa, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial-rated pilot-in-command, and a private-rated pilot/passenger were fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time, and was en route to Lakeland, Florida. Witnesses saw the airplane depart the airport to the south, turn left at an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground (agl), fly downwind to the departure runway, climb to an altitude of about 800 to 1,000 feet, and then turn right. The witnesses saw the angle of bank increase, the airplane descend rapidly, impact a four-lane hard surface road, with the right wing and right engine. The airplane's nose struck the highway center median, the left wing struck a wooden power pole and lines, burst into flames and came to rest in marshy area on the eastside of the road. A witness, who was operating a crane near the crash site said, he saw the airplane approaching from the south heading toward the north, turn to the right (east), and flew directly over him. He told police officers that he could see both propellers "spinning," and could "actually see the pilot flying the plane." He said the pilot was wearing a pair of sunglasses. The witness said, "...[the] motor sounded fine...[and the airplane] took a sharp downward fall, hit the road and bounced in the air, then fire started...." The accident occurred during the hours of daylight approximately 27 degrees, 55 minutes north, and 082 degrees, 25 minutes west. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the pilot is contained in this report on page 3, under First Pilot Information. The pilot's personal flight log book was never found, and his current flight times were not known. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Meteorological information is contained in this report on page 3, under Weather Information. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Autopsies were performed on the pilot and the right seat occupant, on February 27, 1999, at the Hillsboro County Medical Examiner's Office, Tampa, Florida, by Dr. Julia V. Martin. According to the Medical Examiner's report the cause of death for the pilot was "...Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Thermal Burns." According to the Medical Examiner's report the cause of death for the right seat occupant was "...Neurogenic Shock due to Cerebral Lacerations, Subdural Hematoma and Spinal cord Contusions and Basilar Skull and Cervical Vertebral Fracture due to Blunt Impact to Head and Neck." Toxicological tests were conducted at the Federal Aviation Administration, Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and revealed, "No ethanol or drugs detected in Blood." The pilot showed, "...47 per cent CARBON MONOXIDE detected in Blood...2.79 (ug/ml CYANIDE detected in Blood." The passenger showed, "...54 per cent CARBON MONOXIDE detected in Blood...2.95 (ug/ml) CYANIDE detected in Blood." The toxicology report was reviewed by the NTSB's Medical Officer. According to the medical officer, the toxicology report notes levels of cyanide and carboxyhemoglobin that are "consistent with death due to exposure" to these substances. In addition, it is not possible to determine from the postmortem information, whether the fire that caused the thermal burns to the pilot, may have begun before the crash. In a fully developed fire, "it would not be unusual for these carbon monoxide and cyanide levels to be reached within a very short period of time." WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane impacted, highway 41, a north/south four-lane hard surface road. The impact site was located on a heading of 056 degrees from the departure airport, at a distance of about 1.6 nautical miles. The right wing, engine and propeller impacted the westerly lanes of the road surface, and some gouge marks were found in the concrete pavement. The gouge marks were oriented on a heading of 110 degrees. The airplane continued on a general heading of 110 degrees over the grass highway median, that was raised about 8 inches off the road bed, impacted the road surface again on the east side, impacted a utility pole, a chain link fence, and came to rest in marshy area about 40 yards southeast of the of the utility pole, and about 10 yards east of the road surface, with the nose of the airplane heading in a northeasterly direction. After the airplane struck the utility pole the outboard 6 feet of the left wing separated and came to rest about 10 feet east of the pole, in the marshy area. The complete tail of the airplane separated from the airframe and was wrapped around the pole at the mid section of the elevator. The right rudder and the mid portion of the elevator was still attached, but had broken forward of the pole. The left engine separated when the wing struck the pole. The engine was found about 50 yards southeast of the pole, and about 10 yards southeast of the main wreckage. The right wing remained attached to the airframe. The outboard section, and wing tip were found bent upward. The wing displayed scratch marks from the road surface. The airplane was removed from the crash site and taken to Hector's Towing and Storage, 2802 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida, for further examination. Examination of the airframe revealed that the landing gear and flaps were found in the "UP" position. Control continuity was established to all flight controls except the right (co-pilot) rudder cables , which were found separated. The rudder cables were removed from the airframe for further examination. The examination of the fuel selector revealed that the right main tanks had been selected. Examination of the fuel tanks revealed that they were breached during the impact sequence. Examination of the airplane's four fuel tanks revealed that they were breached, but the right tank still contained a half tank of blue fuel. The fuel was tested with water finding paste, and no water was found. No fuel was found in any of the other tanks. Both engines had separated from the airframe. The left engine had separated after impact with the utility pole and was the furthest piece of wreckage found from the initial impact point. The right engine was found about 5 feet aft of the right wing. Both propellers remained attached to their respective engine flange. Examination of the left propeller revealed that both blades had remained in the hub. Both blades were found bent about 90 degrees, 14 inches outboard of the hub. Examination of the right propeller revealed that both blades had remained in the hub, and displayed torsional twisting, "S" bending, and chordwise scratches. Both blades had remained secure in the propeller hub. TEST AND RESEARCH The two right (copilots) rudder cables were removed from the airplane and sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory, Washington, D.C. for fracture analysis on the cable fracture surfaces. Both cables were covered with a black deposit consistent with soot. The cables were separated at the ends. Each cable was manufactured from several wire strands. For identification purposes the cables were marked with arrows numbered 1 and 2. The cable marked No. 1, measured about 12 inches and the cable marked No. 2, measured about 16 inches. Both cables received ultrasonic cleaning in detergent. Cable No.1 was examined with a stereo microscope and cable No. 2 was examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Examination of both cables revealed that the wires contained features typical of overstress separations, and no pre-existing damage was noted on either cable. No wear damage was noted on the cables. The individual wires that made-up cable No. 2 contai ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65860](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65860-2001-10-09), registration cancelled 2001-10-09, S/N 1452, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech AT11/18 - Registry model: [Beech AT-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-at-11) (registry code 1150202) (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: 43-1452 - Airframe hours: 13300 - Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John P. Silberman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1999 - Departed: TPF - Destination: LAL, LAKLAND, FL - Airport: TPF, Peter O'Knight, runway 3, 3,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TPA, 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 19990227001769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990227001769A), Feb 27, 1999: Beech AT11, Tampa, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. 1943 Beechcraft AT-11 acft crashed under unknown circumstances and caught on fire, the 2 POB suffered fatal injuries, the acft was destroyed. (.19) on February… 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.