# NTSB NYC95LA059: Beech 95, N8226D, Millbrook, NY, February 20, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1995, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Millbrook, NY
- Coordinates: 41.780055, -73.690238 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7801&lon=-73.6902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA059

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to manually extend the landing gear which resulted in the landing gear collapsing.  A factor was the  intermittent loss of electrical power.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - electrical system - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - swampy

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED AFTER TAKEOFF THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER.  HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  HE LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR ELECTRICALLY AND OBSERVED THE DOWN AND LOCKED LIGHT ILLUMINATE, FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER.  THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO RESTORE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) STATED, THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN GEAR WERE FOUND IN THE PARTIALLY EXTENDED POSITION.  DURING THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION, TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.  ADDITIONALLY, THE FIELD COIL OF THE LEFT VOLTAGE REGULATOR HAD A BURNED ODOR, AND THE LEFT GENERATOR CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS TRIPPED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOTS OPERATING HANDBOOK IN THE UNUSUAL OPERATING CONDITIONS:  'LANDING GEAR EMERGENCY EXTENSION: THE LANDING GEAR HANDCRANK WILL LOWER THE GEAR MANUALLY IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS OR IF YOU WISH TO DO SO FOR SOME OTHER REASON.'

## Factual narrative

On Monday, February 20, 1995 about 1410 eastern standard time, a Beech 95, N8226D, piloted by Matties Jimenez, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing at Sky Acres airport, Millbrook, New York.  The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR part 91.

The pilot departed Sky Acres on a personal flight, destined for Farmingdale, New York.  In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated:

After takeoff...,I noticed that my electrical system was      not working....As soon as I got electricity back, I      lowered my landing gear [electrically] and noticed the      down and lock indicator light illuminate, followed by a      complete failure of the electrical system....[There      was] no charge in the ammeter gages.  I decided to turn      back to [Sky Acres]...

The pilot further stated in a statement submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):

...I verified my wheels visually with the mirror      outside the aircraft on the left engine cowling,      followed by another check in the cockpit [with a      mechanical indicator for the nose gear]....I landed and      touched down on my main gear first.  As soon as I      [lowered the nose], the nose wheel collapsed.  I      tried to correct for the skidding aircraft down and      left of the runway that followed as a result of the      gear collapsing without success. This resulted on a      sudden impact of the aircraft with the pond.  The      aircraft came to...rest, and we exited...immediately...

During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated, he tried to restore electrical power by recycling the generator switches, and was unsuccessful.

According to the FAA Inspector, the nose gear and right main gear were partially extended.  The airplane came to rest off the east side of runway 17, in a pond.

An electrical system inspection was performed by Cawley Aviation Service under the supervision of the FAA.  According to Cawley Aviation Service, the aircraft engines were run with the following results:  With the left engine running and the left generator switch in the on position, the left generator would not come on line.  With the right engine running and the right generator switch in the on position the right amp meter indicated normal output.  The aircraft landing gear was manually put in the down and locked position.  With electrical power on, the green down and locked light illuminated.  Due to the bending of the landing gear retraction linkage, it was not possible to do an electrical gear extension to check for proper operation of the landing gear.  The left generator circuit breaker was found in the tripped position.  The left voltage regulator cover was removed and there was a slight burned odor in the field coil.

The FAA Inspector's report of a telephone interview with Beechcraft, reported the following:  Both generators could become inoperative if one of the voltage regulators fail, allowing the opposite generator to motorize the dead generator.  In this case, both generators could be grounded and a total loss of electrical power could occur.

According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, the unusual operating conditions stated, "LANDING GEAR EMERGENCY EXTENSION:  The landing gear handcrank will lower the gear manually if the electrical system fails or if you wish to do so for some other reason."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8226D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8226D-1996-08-28), registration cancelled 1996-08-28, S/N TD26 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95
- Registry model: [Beech 95](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95) (registry code 1153402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 95TD26
- Airframe hours: 3704
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aircraft Sales Corp.
- Registered owner: Aircraft Sales Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1994
- Departed: 44N
- Destination: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Airport: 44N, Sky Acres, runway 17, 3,879 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 305 total, 30 in this make and model, 216 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19950220002229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950220002229A), Feb 20, 1995: Beech 95, Millbrook, NY, Substantial damage. Lost electric power on climbout. Beleived gear extended for return. Not full down landing. Voltage regulator burned

## Other investigations on N8226D (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC71FNE35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71FNE35), May 29, 1971: Beech 95 (N8226D), Willimantic, CT, substantial damage

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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