Accident Overview
On August 29, 2015, at about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Beech B19, registration N2013G, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain near Dexter Regional Airport (1B0) in Dexter, Maine. The flight instructor sustained serious injuries, while the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Preflight and Initial Flight
The airplane departed Old Town Airport (OLD) in Old Town, Maine, around 0800. During preflight, the student pilot noted about 43 gallons of fuel, drained all three sump points with no water found, and confirmed engine oil was at 6 quarts. The magneto check during engine run-up showed no anomalies. The flight proceeded toward 1B0, overflew the runway after about 30 minutes, switched fuel tanks, and landed uneventfully on runway 34. After landing, flaps were fully retracted and carburetor heat secured; the fuel boost pump remained on.
Takeoff and Accident Sequence
The flight instructor recounted that they had calculated ground roll and 50-foot clearance, expecting to be airborne within 700 feet and clear a 50-foot obstacle by about 1,300 feet. After taxiing to runway 25 (a turf runway 1,250 feet long and 120 feet wide), the student pilot commenced takeoff from the threshold with full power. Oil pressure, fuel pressure, and temperature were normal; throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat were in correct forward positions. The airplane lifted off about 600 feet down the runway. The climb was normal until approximately 50 to 60 feet above the runway, just as the airplane approached the departure end. The flight instructor then noticed engine power suddenly drop by 200 rpm and that the airplane was no longer climbing. The instructor took the controls, observed a slight clearing ahead and left, turned the airplane in a 10° bank toward it, and the airplane began slowly sinking into a tree line. Just before impact with the first tree, the instructor extended flaps in an attempt to clear it. The propeller was still turning as it cut through a 50-foot tree, though it could have been windmilling. The instructor believed the propeller then stopped entirely, and the airplane descended into a second tree before tumbling to the ground.
Aircraft and Engine Information
The airplane, manufactured in 1978, was equipped with a Lycoming O-320 series 150-hp engine. The most recent annual inspection was on July 21, 2015. According to an FAA inspector, the airframe had accumulated 5,168 total hours. The type certificate data sheet listed maximum gross weight as 2,150 pounds; the instructor reported weight at accident time as 2,000 pounds.
Weather and Airport Conditions
The 0853 recorded weather observation at Bangor International Airport (BGR), about 22 nautical miles southeast, included wind from 210° at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, overcast clouds at 25,000 feet agl, temperature 17°C, dew point 14°C, and altimeter setting 30.17 inches of mercury. Dexter Regional Airport, elevation 533 feet msl, had two runways: asphalt 16/34 (3,008 ft by 75 ft) and turf 7/25 (1,250 ft by 120 ft). Trees 30 feet tall were located about 50 feet beyond the departure end of runway 25.
Post-Accident Findings
The airplane came to rest inverted about 400 feet from the departure end of runway 25. The firewall, left wing, and fuselage were substantially damaged. Fuel drained from the wings. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft; one blade was straight and the other bent aft about 30°. An FAA inspector examined the engine and found no obvious mechanical anomalies. The carburetor icing probability chart from FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 showed a probability of serious icing at glide power for the reported temperature and dew point.
Manufacturer performance data indicated that for a takeoff weight of 2,150 pounds on grass at sea level with calm wind at 15°C, ground roll required was 1,105 feet and total distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle was 1,710 feet. At 25°C, ground roll was 1,220 feet and total distance 1,886 feet.