Beech B60 accident near Bismark, North Dakota, August 1, 2007
On August 1, 2007 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Beech B60, registered N529R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bismark, North Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper fuel grade due to the improper fueling of the airplane by the fixed base operator, which led to the loss of engine power of both engines. A factor was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 2007 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Bismark, North Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B60 · all B60s on the register
- Registration
- N529R · no longer on the register · serial 529
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane made a forced landing following a loss of power from both engines. The pilot reported that he had called the fixed base operator at the airport to have them pull his airplane out and to have 30 gallons of fuel added to each side. He stated that when he arrived at the airport, the fuel had already been added to the airplane. He stated that he performed a pre-flight examination of the airplane which included visual checks of the fuel which was blue in color, consistent with 100LL aviation gasoline. The pilot reported that the subsequent start-up, taxi and pre-takeoff checks were normal and he proceeded to takeoff. He stated that at about 32 inches of manifold pressure the left engine stumbled and he aborted the takeoff. After taxi back to the runway, the pilot performed another run-up and attempted another takeoff which again resulted in an aborted takeoff. The pilot stated that he then returned to the maintenance area where a mechanic boarded the airplane and a full power run-up was performed. No anomalies were noted during the full power run-up. After the mechanic deplaned, the pilot returned to the runway and was again cleared for takeoff. He stated that he entered the runway, held his brakes, and increased the power to 35 inches of manifold pressure. He stated that he checked the engine gauges and all were normal and he applied full power and proceeded to takeoff. After liftoff, the pilot noticed a fluctuation in the right engine's manifold pressure and he began a gradual left turn. He stated that the manifold pressure and fuel flow indications for both engines then began to fluctuate. The pilot's attempts to rectify the power fluctuations were unsuccessful and an eventual off-airport forced landing was made. The pilot reported that he had to maneuver the airplane to avoid trees, cars, houses and people during the forced landing. A fuel receipt from the fixed base operator revealed that the airplane had been fueled with aviation jet fuel.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,100 hours in all; 1,160 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,950 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2006; 72 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,039 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-541 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: BIS Bismark ND at 8:00 pm
- Destination: DTL Detroit Lakes MN
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.