# NTSB SEA89FA015: Beech 65, N9AG, Elko, NV, November 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1988, 14:53 local (22:53 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Coordinates: 40.950107, -115.789146 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9501&lon=-115.7891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - worn (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence

## Analysis

APPROX 10 MIN AFTER T/O, THE PILOT STATED HE WAS RETURNING TO LAND DUE TO A PROBLEM. ON FINAL THE ACFT ROLLED INVERTED AND DESCENDED NOSE DOWN INTO A RESIDENCE. ENGINE EXAM REVEALED A FAILED SUPERCHARGER INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT GEAR RESULTING IN LOSS OF SUPERCHARGER ON THE RT ENGINE. THE ACFT WAS APPROX 300 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT. THE LNDG GEAR WAS DOWN AND THE FLAPS WERE EXTENDED APPROX 20 DEGREES. THE LEFT THROTTLE  WAS FOUND IN THE FULL FORWARD (HIGH POWER) POSITION. THE RT PROP CONTROL WAS IN FULL DECREASE RPM, HIGH PITCH AND THE RT ENG MAG SWITCHES WERE OFF. WITNESSES HAD OBSERVED THE ACFT DESCEND TO BELOW TRAFFIC PATTERN ALT. AT APPROX 200 FT AGL A LOUD ENG NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE SLOW FLYING ACFT PITCHED UP, ROLLED RT AND DESCENDED VERTICALLY ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE ARPT. THE PLT HAD NOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY OR DEFINED HIS PROBLEM. THE PLT'S LAST RECORDED FLT IN THE BE-65 WAS IN FEB 1988. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A CHECK-OUT OR FLIGHT TRAINING IN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9AG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9AG-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N LC-51, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 65
- Registry model: [Beech 65](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65) (registry code 1152802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GSO&IGSO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-gso-igso-480-series) (registry code 41529, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LC-51
- Airframe hours: 8945
- Engines: LYCOMING IGSO-480-A1A6 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Airborne Geophysics
- Registered owner: Airborne Geophysics, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1988, 65 hours before
- Departed: EKO, ELKO, NV
- Destination: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EKO, Elko, runway 23, 6,400 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 884 total, 103 in this make and model, 748 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKO, 1 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 19881102070839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881102070839A), Nov 2, 1988: Beech STC65BEECH, Elko, NV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost right engine. Failed to feather. Got below VMC stalled and dived into a house. Over weight. Super charger failed

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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