# NTSB NYC90FA226: Beech 95-B55, N9UP, Smithfield, PA, September 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1990, 18:26 local (22:26 UTC)
- Place: Smithfield, PA
- Coordinates: 39.799667, -79.799484 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7997&lon=-79.7995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA226

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHILE CONDUCTING TRAINING MANEUVERS AT AN ALTITUDE THAT PRECLUDED A SAFE RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE WITNESSES HEARD THE PILOTS DISCUSSING THE POSSIBILITY OF CONDUCTING PILOT TRAINING. LESS THAN 6 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED IN A DIVE TO GROUND IMPACT. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE(S) WAS CHANGING. THE LEFT ENGINE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. TEARDOWN EXAMINATIONS OF BOTH ENGINES DID NOT REVEAL ANY DISCREPANCIES. THE OTHER PILOT HELD A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH AIRPLANE SINGLE AND MULTI-ENGINE LAND, INSTRUMENT, AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (AIRPLANE SINGLE-ENGINE) RATINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9UP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9UP-1990-10-19), registration cancelled 1990-10-19, S/N TC1273 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-1273
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Great American Aviation Inc
- Departed: MGW, MORGANTOWN, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,300 total, 7,100 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Observed at: MGW, 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 19900922041509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900922041509A), Sep 22, 1990: Beech 95B55, Smithfield, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. High speed ground impact. On training flight. Left engine mags off. Aircraft type can stall and reach VMC same time

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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