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.
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas
February 22, 2019
Location: Colby, KS
Accident Number: CEN19LA086
Date & Time: 02/22/2019, 0945 CST
Registration: N62069
Aircraft: Beech 65
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning
On February 22, 2019, about 0945 central standard time, a Beech 65 airplane, N62069, impacted terrain near Colby, Kansas, while maneuvering for a precautionary landing. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc., as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. Day instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight was originating from Shalz Field Airport (CBK), Colby, Kansas, and destined for Denver, Colorado.
According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, he noticed the crew hatch door, located next to the left front seat, had unexpectedly opened. The pilot attempted to close the door, without success. While focusing on trying to close the door, the pilot "wasn't able to fully control the airplane normally (mainly in heading and pitch)," so he initiated a precautionary landing back to CBK. While maneuvering at a low altitude to stay in visual flight rules conditions (overcast ceiling at 300 ft), the airplane's airspeed decreased, and the wing tips were dipping back and forth. The pilot retracted the landing gear and applied full engine power to try and gain airspeed. The pilot was unable to gain airspeed, the airplane was losing altitude, and he knew the airplane was going to impact terrain. Prior to the impact, the pilot kept the wings level, and the nose in a slightly pitch up attitude. The airplane then impacted the snow-covered terrain with the landing gear retracted.
Postaccident examination of the airplane by the operator revealed the left wing and left aileron were bent. No evidence was noted that the crew hatch door malfunctioned during the flight.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 27, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/28/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/18/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 2550 hours (Total, all aircraft), 34 hours (Total, this make and model), 2444 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N62069
Model/Series: 65
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 62-3866
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/29/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 8000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8877 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IA-720-A1B
Registered Owner: Bemidji Aviation Services Inc
Rated Power: 400 hp
Operator: Bemidji Aviation Services Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CBK, 3187 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0955 CST
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 1.25 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 200 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 130°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -1°C / -1°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Drizzle
Departure Point: Colby, KS (CBK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Denver, CO (DEN)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 0945 CST
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Shalz Field Airport (CBK)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 3187 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Precautionary Landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.427222, -101.052778 (est)
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Bemidji Aviation; Bemidji, Minnesota
Location: Goodland, KS
Accident Number: CEN21LA274
Date & Time: June 16, 2021, 19:05 Local
Registration: N62069
Aircraft: Beech U-8F
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled
On June 16, 2021, at 1905 mountain daylight time, a Beech U-8F airplane, N62069, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Goodland Municipal Airport (GLD), Goodland, Kansas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 cargo flight.
The pilot stated that while starting the right engine he heard a loud bang and noticed flames coming out of the right wing. An airport surveillance video captured images of flames from the right wing for about 1 second. The pilot shut down the right engine with the mixture control and egressed the airplane.
Examination revealed damage to the outboard 12 ft of the right wing, with the forward spar deflected significantly aft and the right-wing leading edge curled aft. The outboard aft fuel bladder for the right wing was removed and observed to be in a degraded condition, with indications of fire damage. Wiring for the navigation light had a conductor exposed in two locations. The fuel bladder and right-wing wiring bundle were retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N62069
Model/Series: U-8F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Operator Designator Code: BEMA
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGLD,3656 ft msl
Observation Time: 18:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C /11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 190°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Goodland, KS
Destination: Denver, CO (DEN)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: On-ground
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 39.370627,-101.69898 (est)
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Sidney, Nebraska
Accident Number: CEN19LA215
Date & Time: July 9, 2019, 08:13 Local
Registration: N62069
Aircraft: Beech 65
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Explosion (non-impact)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning
Analysis
The pilot had topped off the outboard fuel tanks before departure. While taxiing for takeoff, the stall warning horn activated, and the pilot pulled the circuit breaker to disable the horn. During the takeoff roll, the pilot heard a loud bang, observed significant damage to the outboard left wing, and aborted the takeoff. While taxiing back to the ramp, the pilot noted smoke coming from the top of the left wing. The pilot taxied the airplane to the corner of the ramp, performed an abbreviated shutdown, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and evacuated. The pilot did not observe any additional smoke or fire and did not discharge the fire extinguisher.
Examination of the airplane revealed fire and thermal damage near the wing root area, including melted and burned wiring. Due to some loose installation screws, a fuel leak was found coming from the fuel sending unit, which had recently been replaced. In addition, a wiring harness was found pinched between a metal clamp and a wing rib. Metal-to-metal contact was noted between exposed wiring and
the wing rib. Based on the fuel leak in the left wing and the pinched wiring, it is likely fuel vapors ignited and caused an explosion of the outboard left wing.
A few months before the accident, the outboard left wing was replaced. The operator's director of maintenance stated that the electrical wiring in the wing was not inspected during the wing replacement.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The improper maintenance of the outboard left wing, which allowed electrical arcing and leaking of the fuel sending unit and subsequently resulted in ignition of fuel vapors and an explosion of the outboard left wing.
Findings
Personnel issues Installation - Maintenance personnel
Personnel issues Post maintenance inspection - Maintenance personnel
Aircraft Electrical pwr sys wiring - Damaged/degraded
Aircraft Fuel quantity sensor - Incorrect service/maintenance
Factual Information
On July 9, 2019, about 0813 mountain daylight time, a Beech 65 airplane, N62069, experienced a left wing explosion during takeoff roll from the Sidney Municipal Airport (SNY), Sidney, Nebraska. The airline transport pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc., as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. Day instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of
the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight was originating from SNY, and destined for Denver, Colorado.
According to the operator, the pilot had topped off the outboard fuel tanks prior to departure, and the airplane contained about 230 gallons. While taxiing and advancing the engine throttles, the stall warning horn sounded so he pulled the circuit breaker as a corrective action which stopped the stall warning horn. The pilot thought the stall warning horn was in error and no further action was taken before the takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the pilot heard a loud bang and observed significant damage to the outboard left wing. Initially he thought maybe the airplane struck an animal, or the airplane impacted a pothole on the runway. While taxiing back to the ramp, the pilot noted a small amount of smoke coming from the top of the left wing. The pilot taxied the airplane to the corner of the ramp, performed an abbreviated shutdown of the airplane, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and evacuated. The pilot did not
observe any additional smoke or fire and did not discharge the fire extinguisher.
Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and personnel from the operator revealed fire and thermal damage near the wing root area to include melted and burned wiring. After the accident as a precaution, the airplane was defueled by the operator, and in order to determine if a fuel leak was present, fuel was added to the outboard left wing during the examination. After fueling with 15 to 25 gallons of fuel, fuel began leaking from the top of the left wing fuel sending unit. Safety wire on the fuel sending unit screws was removed, and the fuel sending unit screws were found loose. The screws were tightened and fuel stop leaking from the sending unit. A hole was cut in the wing skin to examine the melted and burned wiring. A wiring harness was found pinched between a metal clamp and a wing rib. The clamp was removed and metal to metal contact was noted between exposed wiring and the wing rib. Due to the thermal damage, the wiring harness could not be separated to determine if the stall warning system could be functionally tested.
On February 22, 2019, the airplane was involved in an accident that required the replacement of the outboard left wing. According to the operator's director of maintenance, the electrical wiring in the wing was not inspected during the wing replacement. In addition, during recent maintenance at an unknown time, the inboard left fuel sending unit was replaced. The most recent continuous airworthiness inspection was completed on June 26, 2019.
History of Flight
Takeoff Explosion (non-impact) (Defining event)
Takeoff Aircraft structural failure
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 45, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: May 16, 2019
Flight Time: 7155 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2500 hours (Total, this make and model), 6301 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 150 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 50 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N62069
Model/Series: 65
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 62-3866
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: June 26, 2019 Continuous airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 8000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8933 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-720-A1B
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 400 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: BEMA
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: 4313 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 07:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None /
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Sidney, NE (KSNY)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Denver, CO (DEN)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 08:13 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Sidney Municipal KSNY
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 4313 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 31
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6600 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: On-ground
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.101387,-102.985275(est)
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas
February 22, 2019Location: Colby, KS
Accident Number: CEN19LA086
Date & Time: 02/22/2019, 0945 CST
Registration: N62069
Aircraft: Beech 65
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning
On February 22, 2019, about 0945 central standard time, a Beech 65 airplane, N62069, impacted terrain near Colby, Kansas, while maneuvering for a precautionary landing. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc., as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. Day instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight was originating from Shalz Field Airport (CBK), Colby, Kansas, and destined for Denver, Colorado.
According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, he noticed the crew hatch door, located next to the left front seat, had unexpectedly opened. The pilot attempted to close the door, without success. While focusing on trying to close the door, the pilot "wasn't able to fully control the airplane normally (mainly in heading and pitch)," so he initiated a precautionary landing back to CBK. While maneuvering at a low altitude to stay in visual flight rules conditions (overcast ceiling at 300 ft), the airplane's airspeed decreased, and the wing tips were dipping back and forth. The pilot retracted the landing gear and applied full engine power to try and gain airspeed. The pilot was unable to gain airspeed, the airplane was losing altitude, and he knew the airplane was going to impact terrain. Prior to the impact, the pilot kept the wings level, and the nose in a slightly pitch up attitude. The airplane then impacted the snow-covered terrain with the landing gear retracted.
Postaccident examination of the airplane by the operator revealed the left wing and left aileron were bent. No evidence was noted that the crew hatch door malfunctioned during the flight.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 27, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/28/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/18/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 2550 hours (Total, all aircraft), 34 hours (Total, this make and model), 2444 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N62069
Model/Series: 65
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 62-3866
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/29/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 8000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8877 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IA-720-A1B
Registered Owner: Bemidji Aviation Services Inc
Rated Power: 400 hp
Operator: Bemidji Aviation Services Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CBK, 3187 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0955 CST
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 1.25 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 200 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 130°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -1°C / -1°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Drizzle
Departure Point: Colby, KS (CBK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Denver, CO (DEN)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 0945 CST
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Shalz Field Airport (CBK)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 3187 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Precautionary Landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.427222, -101.052778 (est)
Repeat after me, "A popped door is NOT an emergency". Flying the plane, land normally and deal with the door. Sheesh!
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