Beech 95 B55 (T42A) accident near Leshara, Nebraska, July 24, 2016
On July 24, 2016 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1965 Beech 95 B55 (T42A), registered N55NE, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Leshara, Nebraska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of airplane control during a practice stall maneuver, which resulted in a spin that continued to ground impact.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 2016 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Leshara, Nebraska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 95 B55 (T42A), built 1965 · all 95 B55 (T42A)s on the register
- Registration
- N55NE · no longer on the register · serial TF-5
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot and the designated pilot examiner departed in the multi-engine airplane to conduct an airline transport pilot checkride. Radar data indicated that they proceeded to the practice area and performed two 360° turns. The airplane then slowed, consistent with the pilots' intention of performing a stall. As the airspeed decreased, the airplane entered a rapid descent, and it was observed by a witness as it spun clockwise in a nose-low attitude to ground impact. Impact signatures were consistent with a slightly nose-low, near-flat attitude. Postaccident examination of the engines and airframe did not reveal evidence of any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Polishing of the propeller blades from both the left and right propeller assemblies indicated that both engines were likely running at impact; however, the right propeller had more signatures of power when compared to the left propeller. A performance study revealed that the airplane departed controlled flight about 80 knots, which was the airplane's minimum controllable airspeed with one engine inoperative. It could not be determined if an engine was momentarily inoperative resulting in a loss of control inflight. Both fuel selector valves were found in the auxiliary positions, which according to the operating handbook was for level flight only. It could not be determined if this contributed to the accident sequence. It also possible that an improper stall recovery resulted in an inadvertent spin entry.
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
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 952 hours in all; 14.3 in this make and model; 64.5 in the last 90 days; 33.9 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 28, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Pilot (unmanned)
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,066 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 16, 2016
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental IO-470-L (piston); 2,128 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO-470-L (piston); 2,128 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Lemay Aero Club
The flight
- Departed from: MLE Omaha NE at 7:30 pm
- Destination: MLE Omaha NE
- Flight plan: VFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from KFET, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
13 documents, released by the NTSB on August 27, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fuel Receipt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Toxicological Report - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Toxicological Report - Check Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation - Other Flight Instructor | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Statement - Other Pilot Receiving Instruction | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Witness Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | radar Points | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Photos | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Airplane Performance Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Excerpts from Operating Manual | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Engine Data Monitor (EDM) Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 13 | Material Laboratory Report - Stall Switch | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.
