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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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January 27, 1985 · Beech 76 · N1850S

Grand Forks, ND

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Aircraft
Beech 76
Tail Number
N1850S
Operator
University of North Dakota
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN85LA071

ON SUNDAY 1/27/85 AT APPROXIMATELY 0849 MST, A BEECH DUCHESSN1850S, ON LEASE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA CRASHED AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE GRAND FORKS AIRPORT, GRAND FORKS, ND.THE STUDENT PILOT AND CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORE WERE NOT INJURED. TWO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEATS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THERE WAS NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED AND VMC PREVAILED. THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THIS FLIGHT WAS A TRAINING FLIGHT IN A MULTI-ENGINE AIRCRAFT. THE STUDENT PILOT INITIATED THE FLIGHT ON RUNWAY 34R. AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 150 FT. ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL) THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SIMULATED AN ENGINE FAILURE RETARDING THE LEFT THROTTLE. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS SLOW TO REACT TO THE FAILURE AND THE AIRSPEED DROPPED BELOW VMC. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN FLYING SPEED BY INCREASING BOTH ENGINES TO FUEL POWER. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN AIRSPEED BEFORE GROUND IMPACT.

Full Narrative

ON SUNDAY 1/27/85 AT APPROXIMATELY 0849 MST, A BEECH DUCHESSN1850S, ON LEASE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA CRASHED AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE GRAND FORKS AIRPORT, GRAND FORKS, ND.THE STUDENT PILOT AND CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORE WERE NOT INJURED. TWO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEATS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THERE WAS NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED AND VMC PREVAILED. THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THIS FLIGHT WAS A TRAINING FLIGHT IN A MULTI-ENGINE AIRCRAFT. THE STUDENT PILOT INITIATED THE FLIGHT ON RUNWAY 34R. AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 150 FT. ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL) THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SIMULATED AN ENGINE FAILURE RETARDING THE LEFT THROTTLE. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS SLOW TO REACT TO THE FAILURE AND THE AIRSPEED DROPPED BELOW VMC. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN FLYING SPEED BY INCREASING BOTH ENGINES TO FUEL POWER. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN AIRSPEED BEFORE GROUND IMPACT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:49 CST
Nearest AirportMark Andrews Int'L (0nm N)
Runway35R
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 76
Tail NumberN1850S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUniversity of North Dakota
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1GGD · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point9 C / 3 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data