MKC85FA086

NTSB accident investigation · Beech B95 · Mena, AR · April 19, 1985

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report
Date
April 19, 1985, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC)
Place
Mena, AR
Injuries
2 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N95UPBeech B95
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19850419013549A
Case key
33830

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - initial climb
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
In flight collision with objectManeuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Object - tree(s)
Precautionary landing - initiatedPilot in command
Weather condition - gustsFactor
Altitude - not attainedPilot in commandCause
Gear extension - prematurePilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

N95UP was making the first flt after both engines were overhauled. The owner of the overhaul facility was the pilot and the passenger was the foreman who was responsible for installing engines. A witness who is employed on the airport heardthe acft takeoff and said the engines did not sound right. He followed the sound of the acft and then saw it NE of the airport heading toward the middle of the n/s rwy, the only rwy available. The acft was at low alt with the left prop feathered and landing gear down. When the acft was 1/4 mi from rwy it hit a 50 ft tall pine tree, rolled inverted and crashed. VMC with strong, gusty surface winds prevailed at the time of the acdt. According to the owner's manual the single engine rate of climb with gear up and prop feathered at 2500 ft pressure alt for a 3500# acft is &320 ft/min. For windmilling prop and gear down configuration the rate of climb is -230 ft/min. Exam of the acft and left engine did not reveal evidence of any preimpact failure/malfunction.

Aircraft

Registration
N95UP
Reported as
Beech B95
Category
Airplane
Serial number
TD451
Engine
Lycoming O-360-A1A, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Part 91
Operator
Blue Diamond Industries
Registered owner
Gene R. Fulmer
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · January 5, 1985
Departed
M39
Airport
M39 · Intermtn. Reginal, runway 17, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
60
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
16,000 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
180° at 15 knots, gusting 25
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
81 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.