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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

May 17, 1991 · Beech 55 · N42WE

Perry, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Perry, GA
Aircraft
Beech 55
Tail Number
N42WE
Operator
Potter Douglas A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL91LA095

The instructor pilot stated that in order to simulate an engine failure, he turned the fuel selector for the right engine to the 'off' position. He stated that at some point during the approach to the airfield he returned the fuel selector to the 'on' position and restarted the right engine. He left the power on the right engine at a low power setting, to continue to simulate a failed engine. At about 30 feet a go-around was executed, and both engines responded for about 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, the right engine failed and the aircraft would not climb on one engine. In order to avoid power lines, the pilot elected to attempt a forced landing in a field. During the forced landing the right wing contacted the terrain and the aircraft crashed. The aircraft pilot's manual states that single engine demonstrations should be accomplished using the power and propeller levers and should be accomplished at 5000 feet above ground level.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND (CFI). THE IMPROPER PROCEDURE OF TURNING THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TO 'OFF' AT ALTITUDE TO SIMULATE A FAILED ENGINE, THEN DELAYING RESTARTING OF THE ENGINE UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE, HE TURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR FOR THE RIGHT ENGINE TO THE 'OFF' POSITION. HE STATED THAT AT SOME POINT DURING THE APPROACH TO THE AIRFIELD HE RETURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE 'ON' POSITION AND RESTARTED THE RIGHT ENGINE. HE LEFT THE POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE AT A LOW POWER SETTING, TO CONTINUE TO SIMULATE A FAILED ENGINE. AT ABOUT 30 FEET A GO-AROUND WAS EXECUTED, AND BOTH ENGINES RESPONDED FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. AFTER 30 SECONDS, THE RIGHT ENGINE FAILED AND THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLIMB ON ONE ENGINE. IN ORDER TO AVOID POWER LINES, THE PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE TERRAIN AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED. THE AIRCRAFT PILOT'S MANUAL STATES THAT SINGLE ENGINE DEMONSTRATIONS SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED USING THE POWER AND PROPELLER LEVERS AND SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED AT 5000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:20 EDT
Nearest AirportPerry-Fort Valley (1nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 55
Tail NumberN42WE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPotter Douglas A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-L9B · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data