# NTSB WPR11CA123: Beech 95-B55 (T42A), N2074L, Van Nuys, CA, February 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 6, 2011, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.20972, -118.489723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2097&lon=-118.4897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78288/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78288 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to turn off the engine magnetos and properly secure the airplane prior to rotating the propeller by hand, resulting in inadvertent movement of the airplane and collision with a building. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine starting: cranking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058010): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058010/cases.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058010/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis After completing an uneventful preflight inspection the pilot attempted to start the engines; however, neither would rotate. The pilot assumed that the battery was low, and that a low outside temperature had increased friction within the engine. He exited the airplane with the intention of rotating the propellers by hand, to increase lubrication within the engine. He pulled the left propeller through two rotations, and on the third rotation the engine inadvertently started. The airplane subsequently swiveled to the right and struck a building, causing substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the left engine revealed that with the magneto switch set to the off position, rotation of the propeller by hand did not result in sparks at each spark plug electrode. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had set the parking brakes and chocked the wheels, as well as confirmed that the magneto switches were off and that the throttle and mixture controls were set to the retarded and idle-cutoff positions. ## Factual narrative After completing an uneventful preflight inspection the pilot attempted to start the engines, however, neither would rotate. The pilot assumed that the battery was low, and that a low outside temperature had increased friction with the engine. He exited the airplane with the intention of rotating the propellers by hand, to increase lubrication within the engine. He pulled the left propeller through two rotations, and on the third, the engine inadvertently started. The airplane subsequently swiveled to the right and struck a building, causing substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the left engine by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, revealed that with the magneto switch set to the off position, rotation of the propeller by hand did not result in sparks at each spark plug electrode. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had set the parking brakes and chocked the wheels, as well as confirmed that the magneto switches were off, and that the throttle and mixture controls were set to retarded and idle-cutoff position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2074L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2074L), registered now, S/N TC-1975, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55 (T42A) - Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-1975 - Airframe hours: 3258 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR IO-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 2010, 33 hours before - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Destination: PSP, Palm Springs, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 23, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 150 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 18 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: VNY, 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 20110206002629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110206002629A), Feb 6, 2011: Beech 95-B55 (T42, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to pull the left propeller through as the engine would not start. Engine started and taxied, unattended into hangar, causing substantial damage… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78288. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Left Engine/Magneto Examination (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344366&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Left%20Engine%2FMagneto%20Examination-Master.PDF - Left Wing Damage: FAA Photograph (item 3, .PDF, 922 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344367&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Left%20Wing%20Damage%3A%20FAA%20Photograph-Master.PDF 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.