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NTSB Report
March 27, 1991 · Beech 58P · N27L
Vail, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 27, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Vail, AZ
Aircraft
Beech 58P
Tail Number
N27L
Operator
Paul D Dempsey
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91FA143
THE OWNER/PILOT HAD PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE IN MINNESOTA, AND HAD HIRED AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT WITH 1000 HOURS IN TYPE TO FLY BACK TO ARIZONA WITH HIM, AND THEN TO FLY EACH DAY WITH HIM UNTIL HE BECAME QUALIFIED AND PROFICIENT IN THE AIRPLANE. RADAR TRACKING DATA INDICATED A ROUTE TO THE EAST PRACTICE AREA AFTER DEPARTURE WHERE THE AIRPLANE MANEUVERED BETWEEN 5400 AND 7300 FEET MSL. TERRAIN ELEVATION IN THE AREA IS ABOUT 3000 FEET MSL. RADAR DATA WAS RECORDED FOR 47 MINUTES. AT A POINT WHERE GROUND SPEED WAS INDICATED TO BE 72 KNOTS, THE AIRPLANE STARTED A RAPID DESCENT AND WAS LOST FROM RADAR AT 4100 FEET MSL. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE SPINNING CLOCKWISE IN THE PRACTICE AREA. THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS WERE FOUND IN THE DOWN POSITION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.
Full Narrative
THE OWNER/PILOT HAD PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE IN MINNESOTA, AND HAD HIRED AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT WITH 1000 HOURS IN TYPE TO FLY BACK TO ARIZONA WITH HIM, AND THEN TO FLY EACH DAY WITH HIM UNTIL HE BECAME QUALIFIED AND PROFICIENT IN THE AIRPLANE. RADAR TRACKING DATA INDICATED A ROUTE TO THE EAST PRACTICE AREA AFTER DEPARTURE WHERE THE AIRPLANE MANEUVERED BETWEEN 5400 AND 7300 FEET MSL. TERRAIN ELEVATION IN THE AREA IS ABOUT 3000 FEET MSL. RADAR DATA WAS RECORDED FOR 47 MINUTES. AT A POINT WHERE GROUND SPEED WAS INDICATED TO BE 72 KNOTS, THE AIRPLANE STARTED A RAPID DESCENT AND WAS LOST FROM RADAR AT 4100 FEET MSL. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE SPINNING CLOCKWISE IN THE PRACTICE AREA. THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS WERE FOUND IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:05 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftBeech 58P
Tail NumberN27L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPaul D Dempsey
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-WB · Reciprocating · 325
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 21 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC