Beech D55 accident near Columbus, Ohio, February 14, 2017
On February 14, 2017 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 1968 Beech D55, registered N88EB, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Columbus, Ohio (Bolton Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of left engine power during takeoff and initial climb, which led to a hard landing in gusting crosswind conditions. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination of the left engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 14, 2017 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Ohio · Bolton Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech D55, built 1968 · all D55s on the register
- Registration
- N88EB · registry record · serial TE-611
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two multiengine-rated pilots departed in the multiengine airplane for a local personal flight in gusting crosswinds. The left seat pilot reported that he wanted to get current on his takeoffs and landings and that he performed the taxi and takeoff procedure. During the climbout, the left engine began to lose power. The left seat pilot gave the right seat pilot control of the airplane, and the right seat pilot conducted the landing. The left main landing gear struck the runway hard, which resulted in the collapse of the gear. A postaccident examination of the left engine and the fuel system revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Hard landing during landing
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 16,300 hours in all; 380 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 27 in the last 30 days; 12,000 as pilot in command; 300 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 4, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,234 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,356 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 2, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental IO 520C (piston); 967 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO 520C (piston); 833 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TZR Columbus OH at 6:30 pm
- Destination: TZR Columbus OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 13 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 6:49 pm from KTZR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN17LA104.