NTSB Identification: ERA12FA458
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 16, 2012 in Laytonsville, MD
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/19/2013
Aircraft: BEECH A23, registration: N8771M
Injuries: 1 Fatal,1 Minor.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot performed a preflight inspection and fueled the airplane with no anomalies noted. He performed two takeoffs and landings without incident. Before the third takeoff, the pilot verified that the flaps were retracted for takeoff and that the left fuel tank was selected. The pilot applied power to take off and released the brakes. As the airplane rolled down the runway, it lifted off the ground, and then settled back onto the runway. The pilot stated that he continued to apply full power but that the airplane was not performing as well as on the previous takeoffs. The airplane eventually became airborne. The pilot stated that he initiated a turn to the right in order to avoid striking trees off the end of the runway; the flight instructor subsequently took the flight controls as the right turn became steeper and the airplane began to descend. According to a witness, the airplane appeared like it would not clear the trees, banked right, and then entered a spin before impacting the ground.
Postaccident examination of the fuel selector revealed it was in a mid-range position, with neither the left or right tank selected. When the fuel selector was placed to the center position, similar to where it was found after the accident, fuel would not flow through the fuel selector. Thus, it is likely that the pilot did not turn the fuel selector completely so that it was not locked in the detent, which restricted fuel flow and resulted in a loss of engine power. In addition, the main fuel line and the return fuel line were removed and there was no fuel present.
A postaccident engine teardown was performed and the fuel manifold was disassembled; dry rot was noted on the manifold diaphragm and it was leaking. The leak might have reduced fuel consumption, but not a significant amount. It is likely that, because of the loss of engine power, the airplane would not have been able to adequately climb above the trees off the end of the runway. Therefore, the pilot attempted to avoid the trees and initiated a turn during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin.
Although postaccident testing indicated that the flight had adult-onset diabetes, it could not be determined if the flight instructor experienced symptoms from the condition or side effects from the medication that treated the diabetes, which could have hindered his ability to operate the airplane. Furthermore, the flight instructor did not report the diabetic condition or medications on his most recent application for an Aviation Medical Certificate.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel selector handle was correctly positioned, which resulted in an interruption of fuel to the engine and a loss of engine power during the takeoff, which necessitated a turn away from the trees at the end of the runway and the subsequent stall.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On July 16, 2012, about 1905 eastern daylight time, a Beech A23, N8771M, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain in Laytonsville, Maryland. The private pilot received minor injuries and the flight instructor was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to a corporation and was operated by an individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a Washington, DC, special visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from Davis Airport (W50), Laytonsville, Maryland, about 1845.
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to prepare for a flight review with the flight instructor. The pilot performed a preflight inspection and fueled the airplane prior to takeoff with no anomalies noted. They performed two takeoffs and landings prior to the accident. After each landing they would perform the after landing checklist, then prior to takeoff, they would perform the before takeoff checklist. During the check, the pilot verified that the flaps were retracted for takeoff and that the left fuel tank was selected with the fuel selector.
During the final takeoff, the pilot applied power and released the brakes. The airplane rolled down the runway, lifted off the ground, and then settled back onto the runway. The pilot stated that he continued to apply full power but the airplane “did not have nearly as much lift” as the previous takeoffs. As the airplane continued to climb, the pilot initiated a turn to the right in order to avoid striking trees off the end of the runway. The flight instructor then took the flight controls as the right turn became steeper. The airplane then entered a spin and impacted the ground.
According to witnesses, the pilot applied full engine power in order to take off on runway 26. One witness stated that it seemed the airplane was "having difficulty climbing out of ground effect." The airplane continued the takeoff, climbed to about 150-200 feet above ground level, banked right, and entered a stall and subsequent spin until it impacted the ground. One witness stated that the airplane would not be able to clear the trees at the end of the runway. Another witness noted that the engine "backfired" and that he heard it lose power prior to impacting the ground.
According to an employee at the airport, he topped off the fuel tanks prior to the accident flight. He then observed the airplane perform several successful takeoffs and landings prior to the accident.
The wreckage came to rest approximately 425 feet beyond and to the right of the departure end of runway 26.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot, age 83, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued September 24, 2010, and at the time of the examination the pilot reported 2,300 total hours of flight experience. The medical certificate was issued with two restrictions: must wear corrective lenses and must wear hearing amplification. According to the pilot's logbook, he accumulated 2,319.2 total hours of flight time. His most recent flight review occurred in July 2010. He accumulated 1.9 hours of flight time in the past 90 days in the accident airplane.
According to FAA records, the flight instructor, age 79, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, single-engine sea, multiengine land, glider, and instrument airplane. In addition, he held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine, multiengine, instrument airplane, gliders, as well as an advanced ground instructor certificate and an instrument ground instructor certificate. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued June 12, 2012, and at the time of the examination the pilot reported 18,000 total hours of flight experience. At the time of this writing no pilot logbooks had been located.
AIRPLANE INFORMATION
According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1964, and was registered to a corporation in 2002. It was a low-wing, fixed, tricycle gear airplane that was equipped with a Continental Motors IO-346-A series engine rated at 165 horsepower. The most recent annual inspection was performed on September 13, 2011, and at that time, the airplane had accumulated 1,989.66 hours of total flight time.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The 1855 recorded weather observation at Gaithersburg, Maryland (GAI), located approximately 5 nautical miles south of the accident location, included calm wind, clear skies, temperature 31 degrees C, dew point 23 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.89 inches of mercury.
AERODROME INFORMATION
Davis Airport was located about three miles north of Laytonsville, Maryland, at 630 feet elevation. The asphalt runway was 2,005 feet long, 25 feet wide, and oriented 08/26. The Airport Facility Directory noted that there were trees at both ends of the runway and a glide angle of four degrees was needed to clear the trees.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The main wreckage came to rest in an area of dense underbrush. The coordinates of the main wreckage were 39:14.545 N, 077:09.274 W, and the first indication of ground contact was about 45 feet east of the main wreckage.
A note pad found in the fuselage indicated the date, July 16, and a start tach time of 1,993.08 for the flight. The tachometer discovered in the airplane indicated a tach time of 1,993.37 hours.
There were no pre-impact anomalies noted with the airframe. All components of the airplane were located within the area of the main wreckage. The right wing tip was located next to the initial impact ground scar approximately 45 feet from the main wreckage.
Flight control cable continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the control surfaces. Flight control cable continuity was observed to be intact from the cockpit control connection point to the empennage flight controls. The aileron flight controls were observed to be intact from the cockpit flight controls to the left and right aileron bell cranks. Rudder control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit area to the rudder. Flap control continuity was established from the flap control handle to the left and right flap turnbuckles.
The left wing remained attached to the fuselage and was displaced slightly aft. The forward section of the left wing root was separated from the fuselage and the aft portion of the wing root was crushed into the fuselage. The outboard six feet of the wing was crushed in the aft and positive direction. The wing tip and pitot tube remained attached to the left wing. The left main landing gear remained attached to the wing. The outer leading edge, next to the wing tip attachment, was buckled and vegetation debris was found in the area of the buckle. The aileron remained attached to the wing at all attach points. The flap remained attached to the wing via the inboard flap attachment and the outboard attachment point. The flap control rod was separated from the flap torque tube.
The left wing fuel tank was breached and empty. There was a small area of blight on the vegetation under the left wing root. The left wing fuel cap seals were examined with no anomalies noted. The left wing fuel vent was clear and free of debris.
The stall warning indicator was located on the leading edge of the left wing. Stall warning continuity was confirmed with a multimeter through the switch housing.
The right wing remained attached to the fuselage. The leading edge of the right wing exhibited brown scoring/markings in the left to right direction. The outboard three feet of the right wing was damaged in the aft and positive direction. The forward section of the right wing root was crushed toward the fuselage. The aft section of the right wing root was separated from the fuselage. The right aileron remained attached to the right wing. The right flap remained attached to the wing via the inboard and outboard flap attachment points and was displaced toward the fuselage about 4-6 inches. The flap control rod was separated from the flap torque tube. The right main landing gear remained attached to the right wing. The right wheel was displaced to the inboard side of the right main landing gear strut.
The right wing fuel tank was filled to about a quarter inch above the bottom of the tab. It was reportedly full of fuel when the first responders arrived. The right wing fuel cap seals were examined with no anomalies noted. The right wing fuel vent was clear and free of debris. A fuel sample was taken from the right wing and no contaminants were noted.
The forward area of the fuselage was bent and buckled in several places on both the left and right sides. The right side of the fuselage forward of the right wing was buckled. The roof of the fuselage was cut and removed by first responders. Both front seats had separated from the seat tracks. Three of the four seat mounts on both the left and right front seats were spread. The seatbelts remained attached to their respective attachment points. Both the right front and left front seat belt webbing did not exhibit any deformation or stretching. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses.
The airplane fuel tank capacity was 59.8 gallons, of which 58.8 gallons were usable. The left fuel filler cap was installed with the latch closed. The left fuel tank output line was found separated at the fuselage side wall. The right tank fuel filler cap was installed with the latch closed. The fuel selector valve was located between the left front and right front seats along the forward edge of the seats. The fuel selector was discovered in a mid-range position between the left and right fuel tanks. Fuel system continuity was confirmed from the left tank through a void at the wing root to the fuel selector and from the right tank to the fuel selector. The fuel selector was tested with no anomalies noted. When the fuel selector was placed to the center position, similar to where it was found after the accident, fuel would not flow through the fuel selector. In addition, there was a witness mark from the fuel selector knob on the plate that covered the fuel selector. The mark was consistent with the center position indication that the fuel selector was found in.
The fuselage exhibited witness marks that were in the vicinity of the inboard edge of the flap. The scoring was in the vicinity of the zero degree flap position. In addition, the flap selector was discovered in the zero degree (retracted) position.
The empennage was displaced to the right of the longitudinal axis and was separated at the aft bulkhead. It was separated on the left side but remained attached to the fuselage on the right side. It was displaced about 80-90 degrees to the right of the longitudinal axis. The horizontal stabilizers remained attached to the rear empennage. The left side of the horizontal stabilizer was displaced in the forward direction and the right horizontal stabilizer was displaced in the aft direction. The vertical stabilizer remained attached to the rear empennage and the rudder remained attached to the vertical stabilizer. The stabilizer trim tab remained attached to the trailing edge of the stabilizer and was bent in the positive direction. The leading edge of the horizontal and vertical stabilizer remained undamaged. The left side of the empennage was dented inward in the vicinity of the left stabilizer.
The engine remained attached to the engine mounts which remained attached to the firewall on all but one mount leg. It was displaced down and to the right of the longitudinal axis of the airplane. There were oil stains on the vegetation under the engine noted after the wreckage was moved. The engine controls were found in the full forward positions.
The engine remained intact. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft propeller mounting flange. The muffler remained attached to the exhaust system but was impact damaged. Both magnetos remained attached to the engine. The vacuum pump remained attached. The oil filter was attached to the accessory section.
The top spark plugs were removed from the cylinders and the fine wire electrodes exhibited normal wear and color when compared to the Champion fine wire spark plug inspection card.
The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand via the propeller and continuity was confirmed from the propeller to the accessory drive section of the engine. Cylinder valve train continuity was observed to be intact with no anomalies noted. Compression and suction were confirmed on all four cylinders using the thumb compression method.
The shower of sparks ignition system remained attached to the firewall.
All cylinders were borescoped and no anomalies were noted. The valves remained intact and no anomalies were noted.
No fuel was discovered when the main fuel line and the return fuel line were disconnected from the engine. The fuel pump drive remained attached to the engine, and rotated freely with no anomalies noted. The fuel manifold was disassembled. The plunger gasket exhibited a small amount of dry rot. The fuel manifold screen was free of debris and fuel was present in the manifold. The fuel injectors were removed. The Nos. 1, 3, and 4 injectors were clear with no obstructions. The No. 2 injector was partially blocked.
The propeller was a two bladed Sensenich fixed pitch propeller. The propeller blades displayed leading edge nicks and gouges and chordwise scratching on the blade back. One blade was bowed aft.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland performed the autopsy on the flight instructor. The autopsy report indicated that the flight instructor died as a result of “multiple injuries.”
The FAA’s Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing of the flight instructor. Fluid and tissue specimens from the flight instructor tested negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol. However, the toxicological test did test positive for acetaminophen and rosuvastatin in the urine, desmethylsertraline, diphenhydramine, glipizide, and sertraline in the liver, and desmethylsertraline, glipizide, and piolitazone in the blood.
In addition, according to a postmortem clinical report on the flight instructor, 34 (mg/dl ) Glucose was detected in Vitreous, 1150 (mg/dl ) Glucose was detected in Urine, and 8.7 (%) Hemoglobin A1C was detected in Blood.
Sertraline (Zoloft®) is a prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is used as an antidepressant.
Desmethylsertraline is the predominant metabolite of the antidepressant sertraline, Zoloft®. While it is an active metabolite, it is substantially less active than sertraline.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl® or Sominex®) is an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine used to treat allergies and Sominex® is marketed as a nonprescription sleep aid.
Glipizide (Glucotrol®) is an oral blood-glucose-lowering drug of the sulfonylurea class that stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas. The medication is used to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes and may cause hypoglycemia.
Pioglitazone (Actos®) is an oral antidiabetic agent that acts primarily by increasing uptake of glucose by peripheral organs and decreasing glucose production by the liver. It is used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Rosuvastatin (Crestor®) is a prescription lipid lowering agent used to treat elevated blood lipids and elevated cholesterol.
According to the FAA, on the flight instructor’s most recent FAA medical certificate application, he did not report using any medication. In addition, he reported that he did not have any type of diabetes.
The pilot was asked about the physical condition of the flight instructor and stated that he did not observe the flight instructor under any duress, showing lack of alertness, or any health issues.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
The engine was examined at the manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama, in October 2012, under the supervision of a NTSB investigator. During the examination, the starter, fuel pump, vacuum pump, fuel manifold, generator, magnetos, spark plugs, cylinders, and oil filter were removed and disassembled for examination. The fuel manifold was placed on a test stand and leaked fluid from its vent hole. A full report of the engine examination can be found in the public docket for this case.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Beechcraft Musketeer A23 Owner’s Manual stated in the BEFORE START CHECK to “use 15 gallons from left tank first; thereafter select the fuller tank.” In addition, “Always bear in mind that the engine-driven fuel pump returns excess fuel to the left hand fuel tank. Provide space for the returned fuel by using fuel from the left hand tank until it is approximately one-half empty, before drawing fuel from the right hand tank.”
NTSB Identification: ERA12FA458
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 16, 2012 in Laytonsville, MD
Aircraft: BEECH A23, registration: N8771M
Injuries: 1 Fatal,1 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On July 16, 2012, about 1905 eastern daylight time, a Beech A23, N8771M, was substantially damaged when it crashed during takeoff from Davis Airport (W50), Laytonsville, Maryland. The private pilot received minor injuries and the certified flight instructor was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to a corporation and operated by an individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a Washington, D.C., special visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from W50 about 1845.
According to witnesses, the pilot applied full engine power in order to takeoff on runway 26, which was about 2,005 feet in length. One witness stated that it seemed the airplane was "having difficulty climbing out of ground effect." The airplane continued the takeoff, climbed to about 150 to 200 feet above ground level, banked right, and then stalled and subsequently entered a spin from which it impacted the ground. One witness noted that the engine "backfired" and that he heard it lose power prior to impacting the ground.
The airplane came to rest approximately 425 feet past and to the right of the departure end of runway 26. All structural components of the airplane were located within the area of the main wreckage. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces and the engine was retained for further examination.
FAA IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 8771M Make/Model: BE23 Description: 23 Musketeer, Sundowner
Date: 07/16/2012 Time: 2308
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: LAYTONSVILLE State: MD Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE WERE 2 PERSONS ON
BOARD, 1 WAS FATALLY INJURED, 1 SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES, NEAR
LAYTONSVILLE, MD
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 1
# Crew: 2 Fat: 1 Ser: 1 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: BALTIMORE, MD (EA07) Entry date: 07/17/2012
Frank Schmidt, Flight instructor 
LAYTONSVILLE,
Md. -
Authorities in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C., say one person is
dead and one person is injured in a small plane crash in Laytonsville.
Montgomery
County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Scott Graham says the crash
occurred about 7:20 p.m. Monday at Davis Airport. He said one person
died and a second person was flown to a trauma center.
Graham says the Federal Aviation Administration was on its way to investigate. Laytonsville is located about 50 miles northwest of Washington.
FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac said in an email that a Beechcraft BE23 was landing when it crashed at the airport.
Graham says the Federal Aviation Administration was on its way to investigate. Laytonsville is located about 50 miles northwest of Washington.
FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac said in an email that a Beechcraft BE23 was landing when it crashed at the airport.
One person is dead and another was critically injured after the small plane they were flying in crashed near Davis Airport in Laytonsville.
Federal investigators will return to the scene Tuesday to try to determine the cause of the crash.
Witnesses say they could hear it from a mile away.
"We watched him take off it appeared he didn't get much higher than 40 or 50 feet by the end of the runway and he was very slow and it looked like he wasnt going to clear the trees and spun to the ground," said Robert Schapiro.
One man was found dead at the scene, another was flown to an area trauma center in critical condition.
"He approached the two gentleman and one was moving around the other was just there," witness Tameka Stephens said.
A mechanic at the airport told ABC7 the deceased was his friend, an experienced pilot.
"He had been known to have 18, 500 flight hours incredibly experienced, I was one of his last students," said Dennis Stiles, airport mechanic.
The identities of the pilot and passenger have not been released.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating what caused the crash.
Experienced Flight Instructor Killed, Pilot Injured in Laytonsville, Maryland, crash of plane
The identities of the flight instructor, who was killed, and the injured pilot have not been released, pending the notification of relatives.The pilot was flown to a trauma unit for treatment.
Witnesses and emergency workers respond at the scene of a small plane
crash that left one person dead late Monday night.
LAYTONSVILLE, Md. -- A small plane crash near a tiny, rural airfield here has left a man described as an experienced pilot dead, and a copilot fighting for his life in a trauma center.
Montgomery County 911 got the call about the crash near Davis Airport at about 7:20 Monday evening.
Firefighters who arrived at the scene found one adult dead at the scene and the second in critical condition.
Robert Schapiro, an instructor from Clarksville-based Bootcamp Helicopters, was practicing maneuvers with a student at Davis Airport when he says he saw the single-engine plane go down into a thicket of trees near Pocahontas Road just after takeoff.
"He started a right turn to try to clear the trees on the right side, and it looked like he turned too far, stalled the airplane, and spun to the ground," Schapiro said.
An apprentice aviation mechanic at the airport, Dennis Stiles, says he heard the plane backfire and drove out to the scene in his Jeep.
He says the pilot who died was a good friend of his, an experienced pilot with about 18,500 flight hours on his record.
"I'd gotten to know this man very well. He was old, and he had lived a very long and full, exciting life. I'd learned a lot from him," Stiles said.
Stiles says the plane had passed its last annual inspection and was in good flying order.
Authorities aren't identifying the victims until their families can be notified.
The Federal Aviation Administration is assisting Montgomery County Police and Fire and Rescue to investigate the cause of the crash.
LAYTONSVILLE, Md. (WUSA) - One person is dead and another was critically injured in the crash of a small plane in Laytonsville near Davis Airport on Monday evening, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.
One person was confirmed dead, and the injured person was flown to a trauma center, according to a spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.
The identities of the pilot and passenger have not been released.
The plane, identified as a 1964 Beechcraft A23 Musketeer II, is a fixed wing single engine aircraft. It was listed for sale on a website called TradeAPlane.com.
The plane was described by the unnamed seller as being in "good condition, needs paint," with a price of $22,500.
The FAA is on the scene to investigate the crash.
GAITHERSBURG, Md. (CBSDC) — One person was killed when a small plane crashed near Davis Airport in Gaithersburg on Monday evening.
Another person inside the plane was transported to a local trauma center.
Attempts to reach the crash site were hampered because the plane went down in a heavily wooded area.
Hazmat crews were called to the scene to help control the fuel leaks.
Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration were called to the scene to assist in the investigation.
LAYTONSVILLE, Md. (WUSA) - One person is dead and another was critically injured in the crash of a small plane in Laytonsville near Davis Airport on Monday evening.
Just before 7:30 p.m., fire crews from Montgomery County were called to the 23600 block of Pocahontas Road.
The injured person was flown to a trauma center. The identities of the pilot and passenger have not been released.
The plane, identified as a Beechcraft A23, is a fixed wing single engine plane.
The injured person was flown to a trauma center. The identities of the pilot and passenger have not been released.
The plane, identified as a Beechcraft A23, is a fixed wing single engine plane.
LAYTONSVILLE, Md. — Montgomery County authorities say one person is dead and one person is injured in a small plane crash in Laytonsville.
Graham says the Federal Aviation Administration was on its way to investigate.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Scott Graham says the crash occurred about 7:20 p.m. Monday at Davis Airport. He said one person died and a second person was flown to a trauma center.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Scott Graham says the crash occurred about 7:20 p.m. Monday at Davis Airport. He said one person died and a second person was flown to a trauma center.
Initial accounts indicated that the two occupants were severely injured and possibly trapped in the wreckage
