NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On December 4, 2012, about 1438 central standard time, a Beech model 58, N4016A, impacted an open field near Manhattan, Illinois. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Bemidji Aviation Services under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a pipeline surveillance flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from Bemidji Regional Airport (BJI) about 0915. The intended destination was Joliet Regional Airport (JOT), Joliet, Illinois, after completion of the surveillance activity.

A witness reported that he observed the accident airplane in level flight, heading south at a “really low” altitude; estimating its altitude as about 50 feet above a nearby two-story house. Everything appeared normal at that time. He noted that it was not uncommon to see airplanes and helicopters flying low in that area as they conducted pipeline or power line surveillance. He went back to his work; however, when he looked up again a few moments later, the airplane was “sideways” with the wings oriented vertically.

The airplane impacted an open field on a south-southeast bearing. The accident site was located about one-third mile east-southeast of the pipeline under surveillance.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single and multi-engine land airplane, single-engine sea airplane, and instrument airplane ratings. He was issued a second class airman medical certificate on May 23, 2012, with a restriction for corrective lenses.

On the application for his medical certificate, the pilot reported a total flight time of 27,000 hours, with about 40 hours flown within the preceding 6 months. He had reported a flight time of approximately 11,000 hours in Beech model 58 airplanes on a pilot qualification record dated June 10, 2011.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane was a 1970 Beech model 58 (Baron), serial number TH-9. It was powered by two 285-horsepower Continental IO-520-CB engines, serial numbers 831729-R (left) and 831812-R (right). The airplane was issued a normal category airworthiness certificate in February 1970.

Maintenance records indicated that the most recent annual inspection was completed on May 30, 2012, at 12,413.4 hours total airframe time. The airplane had accumulated 12,549.0 hours as of the day prior to the accident. The left and right engines had accumulated 1,682.5 hours and 1,091.4 hours, respectively, as of the day prior to the accident. The left engine was installed on the accident airplane in June 2005 at 10,866.5 hours airframe time. The right engine was installed in March 2007 at 11,457.6 hours airframe time. Both engines had been remanufactured prior to being installed on the airplane.

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The nearest weather reporting facility was located at JOT, about 11 miles northwest of the accident site. At 1435, the JOT Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) recorded conditions as: wind from 260 degrees at 10 knots; 10 miles visibility; clear sky; temperature 14 degrees Celsius; dew point -1 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane impacted an open field about 3-1/4 miles south-southwest of Manhattan, Illinois. Initial ground impact was about 80 feet long and oriented on an approximate bearing of 168 degrees magnetic. An impact crater about 8 feet by 3 feet by 2 feet was located at the south end of the ground scar. The right propeller assembly had separated from the engine and was located adjacent to the impact crater. The right engine separated from the wing and came to rest about 950 feet from the initial impact. The right wing separated from the fuselage at the root; it came to rest about 430 feet from the initial impact. The main wreckage consisted of portions of the fuselage and left wing, the empennage, and the left engine. The overall debris path was oriented approximately 150 degrees magnetic.

The airframe nose section, forward cabin, and left wing were fragmented during the accident sequence. The upper fuselage, from the windshield to the aft cabin was separated and deformed. The cockpit/cabin area was compromised. The forward fuselage was fragmented. The aft portion of the fuselage came to rest inverted with the main wreckage. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers remained attached to the aft fuselage. The elevators and rudder remained attached to the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, respectively. Flight control system damage and cable separations appeared consistent with impact forces.

The left wing was fragmented. The left aileron and flap were separated and located within the debris path. The right wing separated inboard of the engine nacelle, near the wing root. The outboard one-third of the wing was deformed upward approximately 70 degrees. The wing tip was bent downward relative to the outboard wing section. The right flap had separated and was fragmented into three main sections. Portions of the right aileron remained attached to the wing at the hinge points. Both flap actuators were positioned consistent with a zero degree deflection (flaps up). Fractures of the left and right aileron bellcranks appeared consistent with overstress failures.

The nose and left main landing gear had separated from the airframe. Both were located in the debris path. The right main landing gear remained attached to the wing trunion; it was in the retracted position. The landing gear actuator/motor was in the retracted position.

Examination of the left and right engines did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The left propeller assembly remained attached to the crankshaft flange. Two propeller blades remained attached to the hub; however, the third blade had separated near the root. The separated blade segment was recovered from the accident site near the initial impact point. The right propeller assembly, with the crankshaft propeller flange attached, was separated from the engine. The crankshaft fracture surface features appeared consistent with overstress failure. Two propeller blades remained attached to the hub; however, the third blade had separated near the root of the blade. The separated blade segment was embedded into the ground near the initial impact point.

No anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were observed during the postaccident examination.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy of the pilot was completed by the Will County Coroner’s Office on December 5, 2012, in Crest Hill, Illinois. The pilot’s death was attributed to injuries sustained as a result of the accident.

The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute toxicology testing report stated:

Atenolol detected in Liver;

Atenolol detected in Blood (Cavity);

Atorvastatin detected in Blood (Cavity);

No Carbon Monoxide detected in Blood (Cavity).

The pilot had reported the use of Atenolol and Lipitor (Atorvastatin) to the FAA at the time of his most recent airman medical examination.

TESTS AND RESEARCH

The pilot reportedly used a laptop computer and mapping software to assist with situational awareness to the pipeline being observed. A laptop computer was recovered at the accident site. However, damage to the computer prevented recovery of any position data that might have been available.

NTSB Probable Cause

An in-flight loss of control and impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.