History of Flight
On October 21, 2010, about 1415 central daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, N784CB, owned by North Iowa Air, Inc., and operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground near Clarion, Iowa. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The local flight originated from the Clarion Municipal Airport (CAV) about 1410.
The pilot's son reported that he spoke with the pilot prior to the accident. He said that his father told him he was planning to fly the accident airplane on a local flight.
A witness reported seeing the airplane flying northwest when it suddenly entered a counter-clockwise spinning dive toward the ground. The witness stated to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the airplane made about four revolutions before impacting the ground.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. He held a third-class medical certificate issued on January 18, 2010, which stated corrective lenses and hearing amplification were required. According to flight instructor records, the pilot had received a flight review on May 10, 2010, in a single-engine Piper PA-28-236. The pilot's flight logbook was not available; however, he reported 4,000 hours total flight experience on his most recent medical application.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a Beechcraft model 95-B55, serial number TC-977. It was a twin-engine monoplane with predominantly aluminum construction, retractable tricycle landing gear, and seating for six occupants. It was powered by two Continental IO-470-L engines, each rated at 260 horsepower.
The most recent maintenance logbook entry indicated an annual inspection of the airframe completed on July 1, 2007, at a total airframe time of 8,854 hours. The most recent entries for the left and right engines were dated April 9, 2007, noting cylinder replacements and annual inspections. No subsequent maintenance entries were found in the airframe, engine, or propeller logbooks.
Meteorological Information
At 1415, the weather station at CAV reported wind 340 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 13°C, dew point -3°C, and altimeter setting 30.05 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted a level field about 0.5 miles west of CAV. The aft fuselage was in a near vertical orientation when first responders arrived. FAA inspectors found the left engine magneto switch positioned to "R" and the right engine switch to "Both." The switch assembly was broken loose. The fuel flow indicator needles showed no fuel flow on the left engine and 12 gallons per hour on the right. The left propeller control was found in an aft "feathered" position. Significant crushing was noted in the area of engine controls and instrument panel.
A second postaccident examination on November 17, 2010, revealed the right engine partially attached; propeller blades bent rearward, not feathered, with chordwise scratching. Upper spark plugs and fuel injection nozzles removed; no anomalies noted. Borescope examination showed no anomalies. Both magnetos produced spark on all leads. The left engine was separated from the nacelle; similar propeller condition. Both engines exhibited suction, compression, and valve action during rotation.
The airframe had been sectioned for transport. Flight controls exhibited continuity. The rudder trim tab appeared neutral; the elevator trim tab on the right elevator was about 3/8 inch tab down. All engine controls were forward except the left propeller control in a mid-range position. No pre-impact anomalies were found with respect to the airframe, engines, or flight controls.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy attributed the cause of death to multiple blunt force injuries. A Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report detected ethanol in liver, muscle, heart, and brain; acetone in brain; and diphenhydramine in liver and kidney.