Beech 95 C55 accident near Plymouth, Massachusetts, February 27, 2016
On February 27, 2016 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 1966 Beech 95 C55, registered N482S, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Plymouth, Massachusetts (Plymouth 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's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 27, 2016 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Plymouth, Massachusetts · Plymouth Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 95 C55 UNDESIGNAT, built 1966 · all 95 C55s on the register
- Registration
- N482S · no longer on the register · serial TE-117
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was conducting a personal flight in his multiengine airplane and was preparing to perform a touch-and-go landing with a headwind at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. After touchdown and a brief landing roll, the pilot applied power and took off. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, he received an aural and visual traffic alert; the pilot reduced power on both engines and attempted to land straight ahead. The pilot reported that the airplane then encountered a wind gust and rolled to the right; it struck the ground to the left of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, empennage, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded 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
- Collision avoidance alert during initial climb
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,154.5 hours in all; 2,154.5 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 21, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,996 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 14, 2015; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental IO-520-CB (piston); 316 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO-520-CB (piston); 278 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GHG Marshfield MA at 6:00 pm
- Destination: PYM Plymouth MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 4,350 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 7:52 pm from KPYM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on November 4, 2019. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum of Record - Pym | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Audio File-pym Ctaf Communications | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Memorandum of Conversation - FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Tabular Engine Parameter Data | data file | Download |
| 8 | Accident Site and Wreckage Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Certification of Party Representatives to an NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Evidence Control and Wreckage Release | PDF, 2 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.