Event CHI97LA055

Factual narrative

On January 17, 1997, at 1246 central standard time (cst), a Beech D95A, N44BP, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when on climb out on a go-around, the left engine lost power. The airplane was subsequently force landed in an open field. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a hedge and some trees. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Leavenworth, Kansas, and was en route to Olathe, Kansas. In his written statement, the pilot stated that he was on a right base for landing. The air traffic control tower (ATCT) at Johnson County Executive Airport, Olathe, Kansas, cleared the airplane to land number two behind a Piper Cherokee. Approximately 3/4-mile from the runway, the pilot selected full flaps, brought the propellers to high rpms, reduced power and airspeed to 110 knots indicated airspeed. As the airplane was in the flare, the tower told the pilot, " you are not going to make it; go around." The pilot applied full throttle and established a climb attitude. "I was about to clean (raise the gear and flaps) the airplane when I noticed a slight yaw to the left. I immediately applied full right rudder, turned into the right engine, and relaxed back pressure." The pilot verified that his right engine was at full power. The pilot noted that his airspeed was below safe single-engine climb speed, but above stall speed. "The airplane was not climbing and was continuing to yaw to the left." The pilot raised the landing gear and left the flaps down. The airplane continued its turn to the left and began to descend. The pilot then noticed the east hangars on the airport and houses beyond. The pilot elected to put the airplane down in a field between the hangars and the houses. The pilot touched down in the field, slid with the nose of the airplane canted 45-degrees off of the direction of travel and then struck some trees. The airplane spun around 270-degrees before coming to a stop. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage found the airplane resting upright in a field behind a residential area. The airplane's left wing was separated approximately 12 inches outboard of the left engine. The right side of the fuselage was bent inward between the cabin door and the empennage. The right horizontal stabilizer was bent up and aft. The propeller blades were bent aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the of the airplanes fuel system revealed that the left engine fuel selector switch was in the OFF position. The remaining engine controls and other airplane systems showed no anomalies. The airplane was removed to a hanger on Johnson County Executive Airport, Olathe, Kansas. The left engine was examined and run on January 21, 1996. The engine was run up to 2200 rpm with no anomalies found. The airplane was in the flare for landing when the tower told the pilot, ' you are not going to make it; go around.' The pilot applied full throttle and established a climb attitude. The pilot then noticed the airplane yaw to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder, turned into the right engine and verified that the right engine was at full power. 'The airplane was not climbing and was continuing to yaw to the left.' The airplane continued its turn to the left and began to descend. The pilot elected to put the airplane down in a field sort of some houses. The airplane slid across the field, struck some trees, and airplane spun around before coming to a stop. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left engine fuel selector switch was in the OFF position. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12