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NTSB Report
August 16, 1989 · Beech B55 · N816FW
Orange, VA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Orange, VA
Aircraft
Beech B55
Tail Number
N816FW
Operator
Richard B Wright
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO89LA072
THE PLT SAID HE WAS ON TAKEOFF ROLL, NEAR LIFT OFF SPEED, AND HALF-WAY DOWN THE 3200 LONG RUNWAY WHEN, UNKNOWN TO HIM, THE ELEVEN YEAR OLD PASSENGER IN THE SECOND ROW RIGHT SEAT OPENED THE EMERGENCY WINDOW. THE PLT SAID HE HEARD A LOUD POP AND RUSH OF AIR. THE PLT SAID HE THOUGHT THAT EITHER A DOOR HAD OPENED OR A TIRE HAD BLOWN, SO HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE PLT SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACFT ON THE WET RUNWAY BEFORE IT PAST THE RUNWAY END AND CAME TO A STOP IN A DITCH.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE TAKEOFF WAS REJECTED WHEN THE PILOT WAS STARTLED BY THE SOUND FROM THE EMERGENCY WINDOW EXIT WHICH WAS INADVERTENTLY OPENED BY A PASSENGER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT IN TIME TO AVOID OVERRUNNING THE RUNWAY.
Full Narrative
THE PLT SAID HE WAS ON TAKEOFF ROLL, NEAR LIFT OFF SPEED, AND HALF-WAY DOWN THE 3200 LONG RUNWAY WHEN, UNKNOWN TO HIM, THE ELEVEN YEAR OLD PASSENGER IN THE SECOND ROW RIGHT SEAT OPENED THE EMERGENCY WINDOW. THE PLT SAID HE HEARD A LOUD POP AND RUSH OF AIR. THE PLT SAID HE THOUGHT THAT EITHER A DOOR HAD OPENED OR A TIRE HAD BLOWN, SO HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE PLT SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACFT ON THE WET RUNWAY BEFORE IT PAST THE RUNWAY END AND CAME TO A STOP IN A DITCH.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:05 EDT
Nearest AirportOrange, Co (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech B55
Tail NumberN816FW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard B Wright
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-L · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO