Beech 60 accident near Loveland, Colorado, May 15, 2019
On May 15, 2019 at about 6:48 pm local time, a 1969 Beech 60, registered N60RK, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Loveland, Colorado (Northern Colorado Regional airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control due to an inflight right engine fire due to the loose fuel hose between the engine-driven fuel pump and the flow transducer.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 15, 2019 · about 6:48 pm local time
- Place
- Loveland, Colorado · Northern Colorado Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 60 Undesignat, built 1969 · all 60s on the register
- Registration
- N60RK · registry record · serial P-79
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was relocating the multiengine airplane following the completion of an extensive avionics upgrade, which also included the installation of new fuel flow transducers. As the pilot neared the destination airport, he reported over the common traffic advisory frequency that he had "an engine out [and] smoke in the cockpit." Witnesses observed and airport surveillance video showed fire emanating from the airplane's right wing. As the airplane turned towards the runway, it entered a right-rolling descent and impacted the ground near the airport's perimeter fence. The right propeller was found feathered. Examination of the right engine revealed evidence of a fire aft of the engine-driven fuel pump. The fuel pump was discolored by the fire. The fire sleeves on both the fuel pump inlet and outlet hoses were burned away. The fuel outlet hose from the fuel pump to the flow transducer was found loose. The reason the hose was loose was not determined. It is likely that pressurized fuel sprayed from the fuel pump outlet hose and was ignited by the hot turbocharger, which resulted in the inflight fire.
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 (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel distribution › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel distribution › Not inspected
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,119.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 6,775 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4 (piston); 3,338 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4 (piston); 3,463 hours total
- Fire in flight and on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: BJC Broomfield CO at 6:30 pm
- Destination: FNL Loveland CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 8,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 pm from FNL, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
14 documents, released by the NTSB on May 20, 2020. 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 | Witness Statements | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Statement and Work Order, Legacy Air | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Letter from Legacy Air | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Statement, Work Orders,and Instrument Panel, Freedom Air Avionics | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 5 | E-mail from FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | E-mail from the New Firewall Forward | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Transcript of Fnl Ctaf Radio Communications | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Beech 60, 3-D Diagram | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Wreckage Distribution | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Airport Diagrams | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Toxicology Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 13 | Wreckage Release Related to CEN19FA143 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 14 | Report Photos | PDF, 17 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.