History of Flight
On April 11, 2010, at 1745 Atlantic standard time, a Beech 95-A55, registration N9646Y, was substantially damaged after impacting the ground during a forced landing approximately two miles south of Antonio (Nery) Juarbe Pol Airport (TJAB), Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The private pilot/owner and sole passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to an FAA interview, the pilot reported that while flying the downwind leg and beginning a turn to a left base leg, the left engine experienced a total loss of power. The airplane experienced a temporary loss of control; the pilot retarded both throttles and regained directional control. The airplane was approximately one-quarter to one-half mile from the runway threshold, and due to altitude, the pilot decided to make an off-airport landing in a field directly ahead containing low trees, brush, and grass.
The passenger reported to the FAA that one engine had failed and that the pilot elected to shut down the other engine, stating to the passenger that "to prevent further damage on impact to the running engine and propeller; he was going to shut down the other [operating] engine." The passenger also stated that on the morning of the accident they bought about 40 gallons of fuel, transported it in containers, and put it in the airplane. The flight departed from TJAB, flew to Cyril E. King Airport (TSIT), Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands, then to Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (TJIG), San Juan, Puerto Rico to clear customs, and was en route to TJAB at the time of the accident.
Fuel records indicate the pilot purchased 44 gallons of aviation gasoline at 0500 on the morning of the accident.
Personnel Information
According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and multi-engine land, and reported 550 total hours of flight experience. The most recent FAA third-class medical was issued on September 28, 2009. Family members stated the pilot was still in critical condition and had not been able to complete the NTSB 6120 Pilot Aircraft Accident Report at the time of writing.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a 1962 Beech 95-A55, a high-performance, all-metal, low-wing, multi-engine cantilever monoplane with fully retractable tricycle landing gear, equipped with two Continental Motors IO-470 series engines. The most recent annual inspection was dated March 1, 2009, with aircraft total time in service of 4,664.7 hours and engine total time in service of 176.7 hours.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The FAA inspector reported that the airplane impacted the ground in a remote location with a level pitch attitude and the landing gear retracted. The right wing fuel tank was breached; the left wing fuel tank contained approximately 8 gallons of fuel. Both propellers indicated no rotation at impact. Fuel filters were removed, examined, contained a few drops of fuel, and showed no evidence of foreign matter. The fuel selector valves were on the auxiliary tanks, the fuel quantity indicator selector switch was on the main tanks position, and the left and right fuel boost pump switches were in the "OFF" position.
Left Engine Examination
An examination by the engine manufacturer representative with FAA oversight showed the left engine remained attached to the left wing; the three-bladed constant speed propeller separated from the crankshaft flange consistent with impact damage. All cylinders and accessories remained attached, continuity was confirmed when the crankshaft was rotated by hand, and oil was present. Cylinder bores were free of scoring; suction and compression were obtained on all cylinders. Both magnetos produced a blue spark from all ignition leads. Spark plugs exhibited normal operating signatures. The fuel pump drive coupling was intact and the pump operated when rotated by hand. The fuel manifold valve screen and fuel inlet filter screen were free of obstructions and debris. All fuel nozzles were free of obstructions. The throttle plate was near full open, mixture control valve near full rich, and controls moved freely. The oil filter screen showed oil residue with no obstructions. The propeller governor control cable was attached and near full-forward; the drive shaft rotated freely, but the control arm was damaged and could not be moved by hand. Damage was consistent with impact.
Right Engine Examination
The right engine remained attached to the wing; the three-bladed constant speed propeller remained attached. Continuity was confirmed, oil present, cylinder bores free of scoring, suction and compression obtained, magnetos produced spark, spark plugs normal. The fuel pump operated when rotated. The fuel manifold valve screen was free of obstructions, but the fuel inlet filter screen contained debris. All fuel nozzles were free of obstructions. The throttle plate was near full open, mixture control valve near full rich, controls moved freely. The oil filter screen showed oil residue with no obstructions. The propeller governor control arm moved freely and was near mid-travel; the drive shaft rotated freely. The propeller governor oil screen showed oil residue with no obstructions.
Meteorological Information
The 1750 recorded weather at Rafael Hernandez Airport (TJBQ), Aquadilla, Puerto Rico, 26 nautical miles southwest of the accident location, included winds from 080 degrees at 18 knots with gusts to 26 knots, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet above ground level, 10 miles visibility, temperature 26°C, dew point 19°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.93 inches of mercury.
Additional Information
The airplane's pilot's operating handbook, section II, "Limitations," states in part: "takeoff and land on main fuel tank only...The fuel crossfeed system [is] to be used during emergency conditions in level flight only." A placard on the fuel selector valve provided the same limitation. Another placard near the airspeed indicator states: "One Engine in Flight control airplane, maintain airspeed >100 KIAS..." and 100 KIAS was depicted with a blue radial line on the airspeed indicator.