# NTSB NYC88LA019: Beech 19A, N5082T, Buena, NJ, October 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1987, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Buena, NJ
- Location: 39.5292° N, 74.9452° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Buena, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5292&lon=-74.9452&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 9, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA019

## Probable cause

a loss of electrical power for undetermined reasons, which necessitated a precautionary landing.  Factors were rain, clouds, dark night, and the pole.

This report was modified on February 9, 2005.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - electrical system,battery - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The Beech model 19 took off in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with the owner/operator and a flight instructor onboard.  A few minutes after takeoff the aircraft experienced a loss of electrical power.  The alternator circuit breaker popped, the flight instructor reset it and it popped again.  It was not reset.  Because of the IMC and the rapid loss of electrical power, a precautionary off airport landing on a road was made.  The aircraft received substantial damage upon striking a pole.  The battery was found with a specific gravity of zero; the alternator worked when ground checked; and the alternator circuit breaker was found in the open position.  The reason that the alternator circuit breaker tripped was not determined.

This report was modified on February 9, 2005.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5082T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5082T-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N MB345 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 19A
- Registry model: [Beech 19A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-19a) (registry code 1151214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB-435
- Airframe hours: 3060
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald Duffield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1987, 10 hours before
- Departed: MIV, MILLVILLE, NJ
- Destination: N14, LUMBERTON, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,736 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,736 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACY, 9 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 19871027060859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871027060859A), Oct 27, 1987: Beech 19A, Buena, NJ, Substantial damage. Electric power lost on IFR dual flight. Struck power pole on forced landing, found circuit breaker off. Pilot error

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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