# NTSB NYC93LA120: Beech 35, N8664Q, Palmer, MA, June 19, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1993, 15:19 local (19:19 UTC) - Place: Palmer, MA - Location: 42.1584° N, 72.3287° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palmer, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1584&lon=-72.3287&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38608/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA120 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE WAS CRUISING AT 4500 FEET, WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE PILOT UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES. ATC TRIED TO VECTOR THE PILOT TO AN AIRPORT, BUT IT WAS BEYOND THE GLIDING RANGE OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD, AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE DURING THE LANDING. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. ## Factual narrative On Saturday, June 19, 1993, at 1519 eastern daylight time, a Beech BE-35, N8664Q, registered to and piloted by David H. Michaels, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a field, near Palmer, Massachusetts. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot said they were cruising at 4500 feet, when the "engine ceased producing power...all other systems [were] ok. [There was] no warning of failure...[I] completed [the] in- flight failure checklist, including switch [of] tanks, aux fuel pump, check mags, fuses, alt. air, etc....[I] was immediately given vectors [by ATC] to Westover AFB...but determined [I] was unable to make [it]....[I] selected an open field off my left wing....I...lined up on the field, then descended into [the] field...The...right wing contacted a fence post, shearing [off] the wing." In a telephone interview with the pilot on June 22, 1993, he stated, "While cruising...the engine just stopped. There was no sputtering or coughing. The propeller seemed to be windmilling. I tried to restart several times, but the altitude was getting low, so I concentrated on the forced landing. I had no problems before this with the engine." Mr. Robert A. Hennigan, Airworthiness Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, conducted an examination of wreckage at the accident site and later at Four Star Aviation, Lawrence, Massachusetts. In his report, Mr. Hennigan stated: "The following items were inspected: Both magnetos were found securely mounted and properly timed...magnetos were...operating normally....wiring from magneto to ignition switch checked good with proper continuity....There were no visible defects with the spark plug ignition wires. Fuel system: Sufficient fuel was on board the aircraft with approximately 12 gallons in the right wing tank and 20 gallons in the left wing tank...No contamination was found in the fuel. The electric fuel pump was...operating normally....There were no restrictions...in the fuel system....The fuel injection valve screen was free of contaminants. The fuel injector lines were...properly secured. Fuel was present in the fuel flow divider....The engine driven fuel pump was properly secured....The pump was dissembled and no discrepancies found....The fuel tank selector was...operating normally....Proper rotation...was found at the crankshaft, pistons and valve train." Additionally, Mr. Hennigan examined the airplane and engine maintenance log books and found no discrepancies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8664Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8664Q-1996-02-23), registration cancelled 1996-02-23, S/N D7677 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 35 - Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-7677 - Airframe hours: 5060 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David H. Michaels - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1992, 70 hours before - Departed: SFM, SANFORD, ME - Destination: PNE, PHILADELPHIA, PA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,243 total, 2,461 in this make and model, 3,243 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19930619019409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930619019409A), Jun 19, 1993: Beech S35, Palmer, MA, Substantial damage. Reported powerloss IFR en route. Unable vectors to airport. Severed a wing on fence post landing. No anomalies. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.