Beech 95-C55 accident near St Cloud, Minnesota, May 17, 2001
On May 17, 2001 at about 4:48 pm local time, a Beech 95-C55, registered N633K, was destroyed in an accident near St Cloud, Minnesota (St Cloud Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot not maintaining aircraft control during the loss of right engine power during initial climb. Factors were the loss of right engine power for an undetermined reason, the pilot not complying with flight manual emergency procedures, and the trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 2001 · about 4:48 pm local time
- Place
- St Cloud, Minnesota · St Cloud Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 95-C55 · all 95-C55s on the register
- Registration
- N633K · no longer on the register · serial TE-198
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain following an in-flight loss of right engine power on initial climb out. The pilot sustained serious injuries. In an interview, a witness stated that on takeoff the airplane, "all of a sudden began to bank, like it was going to make a turn and head north. The plane then inverted and then the right wing began to dip under. The plane then went straight down into the wooded area next to the runway." The pilot said, "Starboard engine failed on takeoff (downwind engine) with gear [and] flaps down. At an altitude of 100-200 ft engine failed. As pressure to port rudder was applied and attempting to place fuel selector switch in ALT fuel position, A/C violently departed to the right. (rolled)" The pilot said, "I tried to re-start the right engine but had no time." The airplane's flight manual states: " Where practicable, the emergencies requiring immediate corrective action are treated in check list form for easy reference and familiarization. ... ENGINE FAILURE AFTER LIFT-OFF AND IN FLIGHT An immediate landing is advisable regardless of take-off weight. ... Continued flight requires immediate pilot response to the following procedures. 1. Landing Gear and Flaps - UP 2. Throttle (inoperative engine) - CLOSED 3. Propeller (inoperative engine) - FEATHER 4. Power (operative engine) - AS REQUIRED 5. Airspeed - MAINTAIN SPEED AT ENGINE FAILURE (99 KTS (114 MPH) MAX.) UNTIL OBSTACLES ARE CLEARED After positive control of the airplane is established: 6. Secure inoperative engine: ... NOTE The most important aspect of engine failure is the necessity to maintain lateral and directional control. If airspeed is below 80 kts (92 mph), reduce power on the operative engine as required to maintain control. ... CAUTION The pilot should determine the reason for engine failure before attempting an air start." An on-scene investigation was conducted. No anomalies were found. The right engine produced full power during a test run.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 11,378 hours in all; 331 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 9,661 as pilot in command; 606 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 26, 1999
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,743 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 9, 2000; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,324 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental IO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: STC St Cloud MN at 11:48 am
- Destination: 10D Winsted MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 5,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 20 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from STC, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.