Beechcraft 65-A90 N80GP

Summary

On 14 November 1997 at about 02:41 local time, a Beechcraft 65-A90 registered N80GP, operated by Skyward Aviation, was involved in an accident near Wheeling, West Virginia, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 November 1997 at 02:41

Classification

Accident

Location

Wheeling, West Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Wheeling (HLG)

Coordinates

40.0699, -80.6898

Aircraft

Beechcraft 65-A90

Registration

N80GP

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Skyward Aviation

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bristol → Washington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

NYC98LA028

Nobody was injured.

the failure of the pilot to maintain the minimum required airspeed while operating in icing conditions which resulted in ice accumulations and an inadvertent stall while on approach. Factors were the icing conditions and the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilots reported they experienced an engine fire during a missed approach in night, IMC conditions, and feathered the propeller and shut down the engine. On an approach to another airport, the airplane touched down short of the runway, traveled onto the runway, and then departed the left side of the runway. The pilot reported he could not maintain altitude due to ice accumulations, and the lack of power with one engine shut down. Examination of the wreckage revealed rotational damage to both engines and propellers consistent with operating engines. Neither propeller was in the feathered position. The pilot had been briefed about known moderate icing conditions, and isolated severe icing. The AFM recommended a minimum speed in icing conditions of 140 knots, and at less than 140 knots, ice could accumulate on the wings in unprotected areas. The pilot reported he flew the approach at 114 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.