# NTSB NYC84FA180: Beech D-45, N812Z, Taunton, MA, May 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1984, 07:40 local (11:40 UTC)
- Place: Taunton, MA
- Location: 41.9001° N, 71.0898° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Taunton, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9001&lon=-71.0898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35344
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35344/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA180

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system,fuel control - loose (cause)
  - fuel system,line - loose
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N812Z CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT ONE MILE SOUTHEAST OF THE TAUNTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. WITNESSES IN THE AREA OBSERVED THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE CRASH. ONE WITNESS SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE YELLOW SMOKE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ACFT. SOME OF THE WITNESSES HEARD THE ACFT ENG STOP RUNNING AND THEN START ONE OR MORE TIMES PRIOR TO THE ACFT DESCENDING RAPIDLY AND SPINNING BEFORE THE SOUND OF THE IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT WAS INBOUND TO THE AIRPORT FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING HIS COMMERCIAL CHECK RIDE. A POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION OF THE PLT DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-EXISTING DISEASE THAT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED THE PLT'S PERFORMANCE. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL CONTROL INLET LINE 'B' NUT WAS LOOSE ABOUT 1.5 TURNS FROM FINGER TIGHT. A TEST ON A SIMILIAR UNIT USING SAME SIZE FITTINGS SHOWED A LEAKAGE RATE OF 67 G/HR AT INLET PRESSURE OF 21 PSIG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N812Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D-45
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BG78140744
- Airframe hours: 60439
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-4(3) 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: U.S. Navy Dept.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1983, 299 hours before
- Departed: NZW, SO. WEYMOUTH, MA
- Destination: TAN, TAUNTON, MA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 289 total, 4 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NZW, 17 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 19840522018089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840522018089A), May 22, 1984: Beech D45, Taunton, MA, Destroyed. Engine quit, aircraft entered steep dive and spun in. Fuel control inlet line b nut and fitting loose.

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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