Beechcraft F90 N94U

Summary

On 24 November 2000 at about 16:51 local time, a Beechcraft F90 registered N94U, operated by Virginia Aviation, was involved in an accident near Lynchburg, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 November 2000 at 16:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Lynchburg, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Lynchburg Regional (LYH)

Coordinates

37.3333, -79.2000

Aircraft

Beechcraft F90

Registration

N94U

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Virginia Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lynchburg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Not Reported

NTSB number

IAD01FA015

Nobody was injured.

Improper rigging of both propeller assemblies by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the inadvertent feathering of both propellers after takeoff. Factors included a lack of rigging experience in airplane make and model by maintenance personnel, unclear maintenance manual information, and unsuitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a post-maintenance test flight. An overhauled engine had been installed on the right side of the airplane, and both propeller assemblies had been subsequently re-rigged. Ground checks were satisfactory, although the right engine propeller idled 90-100 rpm higher than the left engine propeller. Test flight engine start and run-up were conducted per the checklist, with no anomalies noted. Takeoff ground roll and initial climb were normal; however, when the airplane reached about 100 feet, it stopped climbing and lost airspeed. The pilot could not identify the malfunction, and performed a forced landing to rough, hilly terrain. Upon landing, the landing gear collapsed and the engine nacelles were compromised. The airplane subsequently burned. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the propeller beta valves of both engines were improperly rigged, and that activation of the landing gear squat switch at takeoff resulted in both propellers going into feather. The maintenance personnel did not have rigging experience in airplane make and model. As a result of the investigation, the manufacturer clarified maintenance manual and pilot handbook procedures.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.