N44BP

Substantial
None

Beech D95A S/N: TD-578

Accident Details

Date
Friday, January 17, 1997
NTSB Number
CHI97LA055
Location
OLATHE, KS
Event ID
20001208X07270
Coordinates
38.879631, -94.810043
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot improperly selecting the 'off' position on the left engine fuel selector valve, his failure to verify the fuel selector valve's proper position prior to landing, and his inability to obtain best rate-of-climb single-engine speed.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N44BP
Make
BEECH
Serial Number
TD-578
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1964
Model / ICAO
D95A BE95
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
TRAVEL AIR VENTURES INC
Address
2316 BAYNARD BLVD
Status
Deregistered
City
WILMINGTON
State / Zip Code
DE 19802
Country
United States

Analysis

On January 17, 1997, at 1246 central standard time (cst), a Beech D95A, N44BP, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when on climb out on a go-around, the left engine lost power. The airplane was subsequently force landed in an open field. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a hedge and some trees. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Leavenworth, Kansas, and was en route to Olathe, Kansas.

In his written statement, the pilot stated that he was on a right base for landing. The air traffic control tower (ATCT) at Johnson County Executive Airport, Olathe, Kansas, cleared the airplane to land number two behind a Piper Cherokee. Approximately 3/4-mile from the runway, the pilot selected full flaps, brought the propellers to high rpms, reduced power and airspeed to 110 knots indicated airspeed. As the airplane was in the flare, the tower told the pilot, " you are not going to make it; go around." The pilot applied full throttle and established a climb attitude. "I was about to clean (raise the gear and flaps) the airplane when I noticed a slight yaw to the left. I immediately applied full right rudder, turned into the right engine, and relaxed back pressure." The pilot verified that his right engine was at full power. The pilot noted that his airspeed was below safe single-engine climb speed, but above stall speed. "The airplane was not climbing and was continuing to yaw to the left." The pilot raised the landing gear and left the flaps down. The airplane continued its turn to the left and began to descend. The pilot then noticed the east hangars on the airport and houses beyond. The pilot elected to put the airplane down in a field between the hangars and the houses. The pilot touched down in the field, slid with the nose of the airplane canted 45-degrees off of the direction of travel and then struck some trees. The airplane spun around 270-degrees before coming to a stop.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage found the airplane resting upright in a field behind a residential area. The airplane's left wing was separated approximately 12 inches outboard of the left engine. The right side of the fuselage was bent inward between the cabin door and the empennage. The right horizontal stabilizer was bent up and aft. The propeller blades were bent aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the of the airplanes fuel system revealed that the left engine fuel selector switch was in the OFF position. The remaining engine controls and other airplane systems showed no anomalies.

The airplane was removed to a hanger on Johnson County Executive Airport, Olathe, Kansas. The left engine was examined and run on January 21, 1996. The engine was run up to 2200 rpm with no anomalies found.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI97LA055