# NTSB SEA95LA104: Beech 77, N3850J, New Meadows, ID, May 20, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1995, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: New Meadows, ID
- Coordinates: 45.110286, -116.359786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1103&lon=-116.3598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA104

## Probable cause

A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AFTER TAKEOFF FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER A NORMAL RUNUP AND TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED FROM 2400 TO 2000. HE HAD INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY AVAILABLE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A NEARBY ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A FENCE NEAR THE EDGE OF THE ROAD.

## Factual narrative

On May 20, 1995, approximately 1630 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Beech 77, N3850J, impacted a fence while attempting an emergency landing just after takeoff from New Meadows Airport, New Meadows, Idaho. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which was departing for Boise, Idaho, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact, was turned off at the scene.

According to the pilot, the aircraft experienced a partial power loss just after takeoff, and he attempted to land on a nearby road. During the attempted emergency landing, the aircraft impacted a fence near the edge of the road.  The aircraft was inspected after the accident by FAA inspectors, who noted that the carburetor was running very rich.  The carburetor was removed and tested, with no abnormalities noted.  No mechanical discrepancies were found.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3850J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3850J-1998-08-27), registration cancelled 1998-08-27, S/N WA236 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 77
- Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: WA-236
- Airframe hours: 2771
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Westerberg, R. & Sorenson, D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1994, 110 hours before
- Departed: 1U4
- Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID
- Airport: 1U4, New Meadows, runway 14, 2,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 204 total, 22 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19950520012159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950520012159A), May 20, 1995: Beech 77, New Meadows, ID, Substantial damage. Report partial power loss on takeoff. Struck a fence trying to land on a road. No anomalies. Possible carb icing.

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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