Lawrenceville - Lawrenceville
Flight / Schedule
Lawrenceville - Lawrenceville
Aircraft
Beechcraft 65 Queen AirRegistration
N130SP
MSN
LF-17
Year of Manufacture
1960
Operator
Robert Peter Watson Sr.Date
February 8, 2010 at 05:05 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Private
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Lawrenceville-Gwinett County-Briscoe Georgia
Region
North America • United States of America
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On February 8, 2010 at 05:05 PM, Lawrenceville - Lawrenceville experienced a crash involving Beechcraft 65 Queen Air, operated by Robert Peter Watson Sr., with the event recorded near Lawrenceville-Gwinett County-Briscoe Georgia.
The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
4 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 3 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 25.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. During the preflight inspection, some water was present in the fuel sample; it was drained until a clear sample was observed. Subsequently, the fuel tanks were topped off, and the remaining preflight inspection revealed no other anomalies. The pilot initiated a takeoff and upon reaching rotation speed, the airplane became airborne and the landing gear was retracted. The right engine immediately lost power, and the pilot feathered the engine and attempted to return to the airport. Shortly thereafter, the left engine lost power. The pilot informed the air traffic controller that the airplane had lost all power. The airplane subsequently collided with trees and terrain and a post crash fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of fuel retrieved from the right main fuel tank, as well as fuel from the fixed base operator, revealed no anomalies. The left fuel selector valve was observed in the plugged port (no fluid flow) position, but it was most likely moved to that position during the accident sequence. The right fuel selector valve was partially aligned with the main fuel passageway and was unobstructed. The reason for the loss of engine power to both engines was not determined.
Aircraft reference details include registration N130SP, MSN LF-17, year of manufacture 1960.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
1
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
During the preflight inspection, some water was present in the fuel sample; it was drained until a clear sample was observed. Subsequently, the fuel tanks were topped off, and the remaining preflight inspection revealed no other anomalies. The pilot initiated a takeoff and upon reaching rotation speed, the airplane became airborne and the landing gear was retracted. The right engine immediately lost power, and the pilot feathered the engine and attempted to return to the airport. Shortly thereafter, the left engine lost power. The pilot informed the air traffic controller that the airplane had lost all power. The airplane subsequently collided with trees and terrain and a post crash fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of fuel retrieved from the right main fuel tank, as well as fuel from the fixed base operator, revealed no anomalies. The left fuel selector valve was observed in the plugged port (no fluid flow) position, but it was most likely moved to that position during the accident sequence. The right fuel selector valve was partially aligned with the main fuel passageway and was unobstructed. The reason for the loss of engine power to both engines was not determined.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
3
Estimated Survivors
3
Fatality Rate
25.0%
Known people on board: 4
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Lawrenceville - Lawrenceville
Operator
Robert Peter Watson Sr.Flight Type
Private
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
