# NTSB NYC86FA068: Beech E55, N6641A, Sunderland, MA, January 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1986, 12:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Sunderland, MA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 4, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA068

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT DESCEND VERTICALLY IN A FLAT SPIN UNTIL IMPACT IN OPEN, FLAT TERRAIN. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED APRX 45 MIN AFTER THE PLT HAD TAKEN OFF ON A LOCAL PROFICIENCY FLT. AFTER IMPACT, MOST OF THE AIRFRAME WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. THE LEFT PROP WAS FND IN A FEATHERED POSITION, INDICATING THE ENG HAD BEEN SHUT DOWN BEFORE IMPACT. HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENG WAS FND DRG THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6641A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6641A-1989-04-03), registration cancelled 1989-04-03, S/N TE1173 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E55
- Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-1173
- Airframe hours: 298
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-CB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Garson R. Fields
- Registered owner: Berkshire Electric Cable Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1985, 61 hours before
- Departed: 7B2, NORTHAMPTON, MA
- Airport: LFR, La Fleur

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,681 total, 343 in this make and model, 1,681 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDR, 31 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 19860131001839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860131001839A), Jan 31, 1986: Beech E55, Sunderland, MA, Destroyed. The aircraft was observed to hit the ground in a flat spin. The left propeller was found in the feathered position.

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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