What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-01-01 involved a Beech 95, registration N8212D, at Tucson, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

a loss power in the right engine due to an excessively rich mixture that was the result of the pilot's failure to secure the priming control prior to takeoff. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow the single engine procedures specified in the operating manual for this aircraft, and, his failure to attain and…

Multiengine Airplane Veers and Crashes After Takeoff, Engine Backfire Heard (N8212D)

On January 1, 2003, a Beech 95 (registration N8212D) was involved in an aviation accident near Tucson, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: a loss power in the right engine due to an excessively rich mixture that was the result of the pilot's failure to secure the priming control prior to takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

During takeoff, a multiengine airplane veered right, rolled, and impacted the ground after an engine backfire was heard. Controllers observed low altitude and slow speed; the right propeller was at high blade angle and spark plugs in three cylinders were sooty.

Overview

The airplane veered and rolled to the right after liftoff, then descended nose-first into the ground. Witnesses at the airport reported hearing an engine "pop" that sounded like a backfire. Following the sound, the right wing dropped and the airplane's nose pitched down, leading to the impact.

Air Traffic Control Observations

Controllers in the airport's air traffic control tower observed the airplane lift off and begin a right turn at midfield. They noted that the altitude appeared very low, estimated at 60 to 80 feet. The airplane also seemed to be moving slowly as it continued turning right while the nose pitched continuously upward. Controllers then saw the right wing drop, followed by the nose, as the airplane descended vertically.

Aircraft Systems Examination

Post-accident examination revealed that the landing gear was down and locked, and the flaps were retracted. The rudder trim was set to neutral. The left engine and propeller showed signatures consistent with engine rotation, and the left propeller was not feathered. Internal examination of the right propeller indicated it was operating at a high blade angle, consistent with low-speed operation. The spark plugs for cylinders 1, 2, and 4 of the right engine were sooty and black, while the plug in cylinder 3 was gray. The starting primer system, which is plumbed to cylinders 1, 2, and 4, had its cockpit control unlocked and extended approximately 1/4 inch.

Pilot Experience

The pilot had obtained his multiengine rating three weeks before the accident and had a total of 20 hours in multiengine airplanes, all of which were in this make and model.

Performance Data from Owner's Manual

According to the owner's manual, the liftoff airspeed was 85 mph indicated airspeed (IAS), while the safe single-engine speed was 100 mph IAS, which is still below the best single-engine rate-of-climb airspeed. The manual specified that at 100 mph or greater, the pilot could follow normal single-engine procedures. Below this speed, the pilot had to attain it either through altitude loss or by making a landing. The manual instructed the pilot to land straight ahead and stop in the event of a power loss in one engine below 90 mph at 100 feet, or below 100 mph at 50 feet.

2003-01-01: Beech 95 (N8212D) — Tucson, AZ