Beechcraft C-45G N204AA

Summary

On 2 February 1996 at about 23:30 local time, a Beechcraft C-45G registered N204AA was involved in an accident near Blountville, Tennessee, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 February 1996 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Blountville, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Tri-City Regional (TRI)

Coordinates

36.5296, -82.3193

Aircraft

Beechcraft C-45G

Registration

N204AA

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Madison → Charlotte

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

ATL96LA044

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat which resulted in a continuing loss of engine power, and the right landing gear's failure to extend during a single engine approach. A factor was the insufficient time available to extend the landing gear via the emergency extension procedure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that as he overflew the Tri-City airport, Tennessee at 9,000 feet, the right engine power slowly decreased. The airplane was in the clouds with an outside air temperature of about zero degrees Celsius. Right engine manifold heat was applied for a few seconds, with no noticeable difference in engine performance. The right magnetos were also checked with no obvious malfunctions noted. A descent for landing was initiated to the Tri-City airport and manifold heat was applied and removed several times, with no appreciable effect. On short final approach, when the landing gear was extended, the right main gear did not indicate down. There was insufficient time to perform the emergency gear extension procedure. A go-around was initiated, during which the pilot discovered that the left manifold heat control was now stuck in the 'ON' position. The pilot stated that with less than full power available on the left engine, and the right propeller unfeathered, the airplane could be climbed to about 200 feet. He flew the airplane until terrain clearance was no longer possible, then landed in a field, gear up. The airplane slid into trees and was substantially damaged.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.