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NTSB Report

April 24, 1998 · Beech D95A · N479AM

Mount Sterling, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 24, 1998
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Mount Sterling, KY
Aircraft
Beech D95A
Tail Number
N479AM
Operator
Kentucky Airmotive
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC98LA101

During a go-around on, the airplane yawed nose left and entered a descending left turn. The airplane struck the ground in an open field to the left of the runway and burned. Examination revealed the left fuel selector was OFF, and the right fuel selector was ON. The fuel lines were intact and about 5 ounces of fuel was found in the fuel line to the right engine, and about 1/2 ounce of fuel was found in the fuel line to the left engine. The flight instructor reported the pilot receiving instruction had checked the fuel selectors as they entered the traffic pattern and he verified their position. When asked why he did not feather the propeller on the left engine, the flight instructor reported he was too busy trying to fly the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

Was the failure of the flight instructor to feather the engine in a timely manner. Factors were improper placement of the fuel selector valve by the student and failure of the flight instructor to adequately supervise its placement.

Full Narrative

On April 24, 1998, about 1623 eastern daylight time, a Beech D95A, N479AM, was destroyed when it struck the ground during a go-around at the Montgomery County Airport, Mount Sterling, Kentucky. The certificated flight instructor and a commercial rated pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local multi-engine training flight. No flight plan had been filed for fight which departed Montgomery County Airport about 1 1/2 hours prior to the accident and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight instructor reported that they were returning from a multi-engine training flight. As the entered the traffic pattern the fuel selectors were checked to ensure that both fuel valves were on the main tanks. On final approach, about 1/2 mile from the runway, the airplane drifted left of course and the flight instructor called for a go-around. In a written statement, the flight instructor reported: "...I noticed that the airspeed had dropped to approximately 103 MPH. At that point I instructed the student to go around. The student added full power on both engines and retracted the gear and flaps. The airplane started rolling to the left giving the indication that the left engine had failed to respond. I quickly came on the controls with the student and checked both throttles at full, and was unable to correct the left rolling and yawing tendencies. As we crossed over the field boundary, the airplane was approximately 100 feet left of the runway edge, veering further left toward a slight rise and trees. My last memory before the crash was of descending toward the terrain in a left wing low attitude with full right yoke and rudder. I retarded both throttles to idle in an effort to keep the airplane upright. According to an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane impacted the ground about 500 feet past the approach end of the runway, and about 400 feet left of the runway centerline. Following touchdown, the airplane spun around and slid for about 100 feet. After it came to rest, a fire developed which destroyed the cockpit/cabin of the airplane. The flight instructor was interviewed by a FAA inspector who stated: "Upon returning to the airport, ...[The flight instructor] briefed that it would be a two-engine normal landing to a full stop, followed by taxi back for takeoff and closed traffic...Prior to entering the traffic pattern performed a before landing check which included placing the fuel selector valves in the MAIN position. Again,...[the flight instructor] performed the steps, and ...[the student] verified them." "...[the flight instructor] said that after getting on the controls during the go-around, he felt that the left engine had probably failed. When asked why he didn't continue the procedure and feather the left engine, he said that he was too busy trying to fly the aircraft. He did, however, just prior to ground contact, consider retarding both throttles to restore directional control. He cannot recall whether he did so." The FAA inspector also reported that the landing gear and flaps were retracted, and neither propeller had been feathered. There was no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction with either engine. Flight control continuity was verified to the primary flight control surfaces. The left engine fuel selector was found OFF, and the right engine fuel selector was found ON. The fuel lines between the mechanical fuel pump and the fuel injection manifold on both engines were intact. Approximately 5 ounces of fuel was found in the lines of the right engine, while about 1/2 ounce of fuel was found in the lines of the left engine. Additionally, fuel was found in the right engine mechanical fuel pump, and no fuel was found in the left engine mechanical fuel pump. According to pilot records, the flight instructor had 3,480 hours with 70 hours in make and model of airplane. He had flown about 75 hours in the preceding 90 days. The multi-engine trainee had 2,816 hours, with 5 hours in make and model airplane. He had flown 22 hours in the preceding 90 days.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:23 EDT
Nearest AirportMount Sterling (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length5001 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech D95A
Tail NumberN479AM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKentucky Airmotive
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-36-BIB · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 12 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data