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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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September 21, 1989 · Beech 80 · N132BA

Littlefork, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Littlefork, MN
Aircraft
Beech 80
Tail Number
N132BA
Operator
Bemidji Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89LA198

THE PILOT STATED THAT, DURING AN IFR CARGO OPERATION, THE AIRCRAFT HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. HE DESCENDED TO VFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS AND ELECTED TO ATTEMPT AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. HE WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR MANUALLY SO DECIDED TO LAND GEAR UP. THE ACFT SLID FOR CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE IN THE FIELD, THEN STRUCK A ROCK FENCE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN WIRE ON AN ELECTRICAL CANNON PLUG, LOCATED ON THE RIGHT ENGINE FIREWALL, THAT HAD SHORTED OUT.

NTSB Probable Cause

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DURING IFR OPERATIONS & THE AIRCRAFT'S COLLISION WITH A ROCK FENCE DURING THE SUBSEQUENT GEAR-UP PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT, DURING AN IFR CARGO OPERATION, THE AIRCRAFT HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. HE DESCENDED TO VFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS AND ELECTED TO ATTEMPT AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. HE WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR MANUALLY SO DECIDED TO LAND GEAR UP. THE ACFT SLID FOR CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE IN THE FIELD, THEN STRUCK A ROCK FENCE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN WIRE ON AN ELECTRICAL CANNON PLUG, LOCATED ON THE RIGHT ENGINE FIREWALL, THAT HAD SHORTED OUT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 80
Tail NumberN132BA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBemidji Air Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-720-A1B · Reciprocating · 400
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 8 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 3100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data