Beechcraft 95-B55 N656RS

Summary

On 3 June 2005 at about 12:33 local time, a Beechcraft 95-B55 registered N656RS was involved in an accident near Jeanerette, Louisiana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 June 2005 at 12:33

Classification

Accident

Location

Jeanerette, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Le Maire Meml (2R1)

Coordinates

29.9022, -91.6631

Aircraft

Beechcraft 95-B55

Registration

N656RS

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jeanerette → Point Lookout

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW05FA145

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain sufficient airspeed to maintain control. A contributing factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reason.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 3,200-hour private pilot was observed to make a shallow right turn during the initial climb after takeoff. Shortly thereafter two loud noises resembling an engine backfire were heard, followed by silence. The airplane was observed to briefly continue flying in an easterly direction before it rolled over and impacted soft terrain, nose first, while on a northwest heading. Information downloaded from the pilot's hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) revealed that during the approximate 45-second flight, the airplane's groundspeed increased to 93 mph and then decayed to 79 mph before the data ended. A review of the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), revealed that the best rate of climb speed with one engine inoperative (Vyse) was 115 mph and the minimum controllable airspeed (Vmc) was 90 mph. It also stated, "Two major factors govern one engine operations; airspeed and directional control. The airplane can be safely maneuvered or trimmed for normal hands-off operation and sustained in this configuration by the operative engine AS LONG AS SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED IS MAINTAINED...The most important aspect of engine failure is the necessity to maintain lateral and directional control. If airspeed is below 78 knots (90 mph), reduce power on the operative engine as required to maintain control." The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.