# NTSB MKC89LA198: Beech 80, N132BA, Littlefork, MN, September 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1989, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Littlefork, MN
- Coordinates: 48.389781, -93.550483 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3898&lon=-93.5505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA198

## Probable cause

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DURING IFR OPERATIONS & THE AIRCRAFT'S COLLISION WITH A ROCK FENCE DURING THE SUBSEQUENT GEAR-UP PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - landing gear - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- Gear not extended, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT, DURING AN IFR CARGO OPERATION, THE AIRCRAFT HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. HE DESCENDED TO VFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS AND ELECTED TO ATTEMPT AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. HE WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR MANUALLY SO DECIDED TO LAND GEAR UP. THE ACFT SLID FOR CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE IN THE FIELD, THEN STRUCK A ROCK FENCE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN WIRE ON AN ELECTRICAL CANNON PLUG, LOCATED ON THE RIGHT ENGINE FIREWALL, THAT HAD SHORTED OUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N132BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N132BA), registered now, S/N LD-331 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 80
- Registry model: [Beech 65-B80](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65-b80) (registry code 1152812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LD-331
- Airframe hours: 15814
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Bemidji Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 4, 1989, 27 hours before
- Departed: HIB, HIBBING, MN
- Destination: INL, INTERN'L FALLS, MN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,270 total, 20 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIB, 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 19890921035709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890921035709A), Sep 21, 1989: Beech 6580, Little Fork, MN, Substantial damage. Lost electrical power elected to land gear up slid into stone fence. Found broken wire shorted on cannon plug.

## Other investigations on N132BA (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN10LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA127), Feb 24, 2010: Hawker Beechcraft 65-B80 (N132BA), Minneapolis, MN, minor damage. Probable cause: The pilot of the other airplane not setting the parking brake adequately while holding for departure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot of the other airplane being distracted while doing his…

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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