# NTSB MKC87LA029: Beech 95-B55, N783PT, Dumas, AR, November 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1986, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Dumas, AR
- Coordinates: 33.879253, -91.480529 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8793&lon=-91.4805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - mental performance overload, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS OPERATING VFR OUT OF FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED IMC WEATHER CLOSE TO VALDOSTA, GEORGIA. AT THIS POINT, THE PLT FURTHER STATED, HE AIR-FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN BUT ELECTED NOT TO LAND AND REFUEL. ACCORDING TO ATC INFORMATION, THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR 44NM SHORT OF STUTTGART, ARKANSAS, HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. REPORTS BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT INDICATED THAT A LOW PRESSURE TROUGH WITH LOW IFR CONDITIONS EXISTED FROM THE MIDWESTERN PLAIN STATES TO THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND ON THROUGH THE OHIO VALLEY REGION. POST-ACCIDENT CALCULATIONS REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN OPERATED OVER THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT DURING THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE FLIGHT AND THAT FUEL RESERVES FOR IFR OPERATIONS WERE NONEXISTENT. NO USABLE FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT'S TANKS, AND NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS COULD BE DETECTED DURING AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF BOTH POWERPLANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N783PT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N783PT), registered now, S/N TC-808, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-808
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter W. Thelen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FXE, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: SGT, STUTTGART, AR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,600 total, 100 in this make and model, 9,400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 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 19861130062449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861130062449A), Nov 30, 1986: Beech 95B55, Dumas, AR, Substantial damage. Power loss both engines due to fuel exhaustion. Landed gear up off airport. No IFR fuel reserves. No malfunctions.

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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