Beech D-95A accident near Greensboro, North Carolina, October 1, 2005
On October 1, 2005 at about 2:25 pm local time, a Beech D-95A, registered N5606S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Greensboro, North Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot mistakenly shut down the operating engine when the passenger interfered with the rudder pedals as he attempted to identify the inoperative engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 1, 2005 · about 2:25 pm local time
- Place
- Greensboro, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech D-95A · all D-95As on the register
- Registration
- N5606S · no longer on the register · serial TD-656
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power of one engine. Using standard engine out procedures , the pilot experienced difficulty identifying which engine had lost power. However, without the knowledge of the pilot, the passenger attempted to assist the pilot in maintaining directional control after initial loss of engine power by applying right rudder. In an effort by the pilot to regain full engine power, the second engine lost power. The pilot selected a nearby landfill for an emergency landing. During the emergency landing, the main landing gear collapsed. After the pilot and passenger exited the airplane, the passenger told the pilot that he had applied right rudder after the initial loss of engine power. Post-accident examination of both engines failed to disclose any abnormalities and 35 gallons of fuel was recovered from the fuel system.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,275 hours in all; 1,642 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 3,175 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,593 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2005; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO-360-BIB (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming L2104-51A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: GSO Greensboro NC at 2:00 pm
- Destination: Greensboro NC
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,600 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observation at 2:43 pm from GSO, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.