Beech A100 accident near West Helena, Arkansas, December 28, 2021
On December 28, 2021 at about 5:50 pm local time, a 1974 Beech A100, registered N93GT, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near West Helena, Arkansas (Thompson-Robbins airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The malfunction of the propeller autofeather system after takeoff for undetermined reasons, which resulted in both propellers going into feather and a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 28, 2021 · about 5:50 pm local time
- Place
- West Helena, Arkansas · Thompson-Robbins · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A100, built 1974 · all A100s on the register
- Registration
- N93GT · registry record · serial B-179
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that immediately after takeoff, both propeller assemblies went into a feathered condition. The pilot was able to maneuver the airplane back to a runway. After a hard landing, the left tire blew, the airplane exited the runway, and the airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage. On the day before the accident flight, the airplane underwent maintenance to troubleshoot a propeller autofeather issue. A mechanic tested the autofeather system and replaced a low-pressure switch. After the maintenance, the mechanic conducted operational checks and performed ground runs; no defects were found. The airplane was returned to service, and the pilot flew the airplane the next day, before the accident flight, without any reported mechanical issues. Postaccident examinations of the cockpit control pedestal and feathering systems did not reveal any anomalies. All propeller condition lever controls were intact and had a full range of motion. Both left and right engine throttle controls were intact and had a full range of motion. Inspections of all accessible wiring and components within the engine nacelles, as well as those contained within the cabin of the aircraft and rigging under the floor panels, revealed no anomalies. Examination of both engines’ propeller governors, fuel control units (FCUs) and beta valves did not reveal any anomalies. These detailed examinations could not determine the reason for the reported propeller feather issue on takeoff.
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 takeoff defining event
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during takeoff
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › Propeller feather/reversing › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 13,550 hours in all; 876 in this make and model; 190 in the last 90 days; 51 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: October 3, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,010 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 6, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 11,500 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: P&W PT6A-28 (Righ (turboprop); 19,590 hours total
- Engine 2: P&W PT6A-28 (Left (turboprop); 19,590 hours total
The flight
- Destination: CXU Camilla GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 16 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from KCKM, 18 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCKM 281755Z AUTO 19016G24KT 10SM FEW029 SCT034 OVC070 23/20 A2970 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on March 20, 2024. 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 | NTSB Form 6120 Pilot Operator Report CEN22LA085 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement CEN22LA085 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Work Order for Auto Feather System Troubleshoot Check CEN22LA085 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpt from Maintenance Manual Propeller Controldescription and Operation CEN22LA085 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Excerpt from Maintenance Manual Troubleshooting Practices CEN22LA085 | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Certificate of Party Representative Hartzell CEN22LA085 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Certificate of Party Representative Textron CEN22LA085 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Memorandum for the Record Excerpt from POH CEN22LA085 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Photo Array CEN22LA085 | PDF, 4 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.
