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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 22, 1993 · Beech 76 · N5148M

Scottsdale, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
Aircraft
Beech 76
Tail Number
N5148M
Operator
Aero/Mech
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA021

THE CFI RETARTED THE THROTTLE ON THE LEFT ENGINE TO A ZERO THRUST SETTING. THE DUAL STUDENT CONTACTED THE AIRPORT AND WAS CLEARED FOR A STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH. DURING THE APPROACH, THE CFI FAILED TO INSTRUCT THE STUDENT TO MOMENTARILY CLEAR THE LEFT ENGINE. DURING THE ENSUING GO-AROUND, THE DUAL STUDENT APPLIED FULL POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE, BUT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB. THE CFI DELAYED INSTRUCTING THE STUDENT TO APPLY FULL POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE. WHEN HE DID INSTRUCT THE STUDENT TO APPLY FULL POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND AND THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE. THE CFI ELECTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE OPERATOR REPORTED BOTH ENGINES OPERATED NORMALLY DURING THE EXAMINATION AND THE LEFT ENGINE SPARK PLUGS CONTAINED HIGH CARBON AND SOOT DEPOSITS.

NTSB Probable Cause

the flight instructor's failure to adequately supervise the flight, follow proper procedures/directives regarding leaning and clearing the idling engine, and his delay in applying power to the idling engine. The fouled spark plugs were a factor in this accident.

Full Narrative

On October 21, 1993, at 1840 hours mountain standard time, a Beech BE-76, N5148M, collided with terrain while attempting to go-around at Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Scottsdale, Arizona. The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules instructional flight. The airplane, operated by Aero/Mech Inc., Scottsdale, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated commercial pilot/flight instructor (CFI), the certificated commercial pilot/dual student, nor the nonrevenue passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Scottsdale Airport at 1710 hours. The CFI reported that the dual student was practicing a simulated single-engine landing with the left engine throttle retarded to a zero thrust setting. When the flight was on final approach at 300 feet above ground, the local controller instructed the flight to go-around. The dual student applied full power on the operating engine and began a singe-engine go-around. The operating engine did not produce sufficient power and the dual student then applied full power on the idling engine. The engine did not respond to the power application. When the CFI realized that the airplane was unable to maintain sufficient altitude to return to the airport, he elected to land, gear-up, in an open field. The CFI also said that during the initial descent the student did not "clear the engine", nor did he instruct him to do so. Mr. Michael Brown, Aviation Safety Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Scottsdale Flight Standards District Office, told Safety Board investigators that he spoke with the operator's maintenance manager. The manager told him that both engines operated normally when tested after the accident. He said that the left engine spark plugs contained extensive carbon and soot deposits. These signatures are indicative that the engine was idling for a prolonged period at a rich mixture setting.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:40 MST
Nearest AirportScottsdale Municipal (1nm N)
Runway3
Runway Length8251 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 76
Tail NumberN5148M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAero/Mech
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1G6D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 5 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data