# NTSB SEA03LA090: Beech 95 C-55, N660K, Canby, OR, May 31, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2003, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Canby, OR - Coordinates: 45.255554, -122.650833 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2556&lon=-122.6508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57101 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57101/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning resulting in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of power after takeoff. High vegetation was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot reported that the airplane experienced a dual engine failure just after takeoff from the 2,800-foot turf runway. Following the engine failure, the pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway, however, the airplane touched down in tall grass adjacent to the runway and slid to a stop. In a subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he inadvertently initiated the takeoff with the fuel selectors in the auxiliary position. He reported that normally the airplane is operated (during the takeoff phase of flight) with the fuel selectors in the main tank position, but he became distracted during the preflight and failed to reconfigure the fuel system prior to takeoff. He further reported that the main fuel tanks contained sufficient fuel for the flight, however, the auxiliary tanks were almost empty. An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and reported that there were trace amounts of fuel in the aircraft's auxiliary fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2003, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, a twin engine Beech 95 C-55 (Baron), N660K, sustained substantial damage following a loss of power to both engines and subsequent forced landing at Dietz Airpark, Canby, Oregon. The airplane is owned by the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. After the accident, the pilot reported that the airplane experienced a dual engine failure just after takeoff from the 2,800-foot turf runway. Following the engine failure, the pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway, however, the airplane touched down in tall grass adjacent to the runway and slid to a stop. In a written statement, dated November 24, 2003, the pilot reported that he inadvertently initiated the takeoff with the fuel selectors in the auxiliary position. He reported that normally the airplane is operated (during the takeoff phase of flight) with the fuel selectors in the main tank position, but he became distracted during the preflight and failed to reconfigure the fuel system prior to takeoff. He further reported that the main fuel tanks contained sufficient fuel for the flight, however, the auxiliary tanks were "almost empty." An inspector from the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), Hillsboro, Oregon, inspected the aircraft after the accident and reported that there were trace amounts of fuel in the aircraft's auxiliary fuel tanks. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N660K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N660K-2007-10-22), registration cancelled 2007-10-22, S/N TE-43, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 95 C-55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-C55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-c55) (registry code 1152708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TE-34 - Airframe hours: 3165 - Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William G. Park - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 2002, 3.8 hours before - Departed: OR40, Canby, OR - Airport: OR40, Dietz Airpark, runway 16, 2,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; military, foreign, commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 20, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 25,000 total, 668 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KUAO, 5 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 20030531010749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030531010749A), May 31, 2003: Beech 95C55, Canby, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Attempted takeoff with fuel selectors on aux-tanks. After airborne, both engines lost power landing gear was retracted. Aircraft landed wheels up in… 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.