Beech BE-76 accident near Mesquite, Texas, February 20, 1999
On February 20, 1999 at about 1:20 am local time, a Beech BE-76, registered N3819D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite Metro airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the multi-engine rated instrument student during a simulated single engine landing, resulting in loss of control of the airplane. Factors were the dark night light condition, the flight instructor's inadequate communication with the student, and the student's improper use of the throttle control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 20, 1999 · about 1:20 am local time
- Place
- Mesquite, Texas · Mesquite Metro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech BE-76
- Registration
- N3819D · no longer on the register · serial ME392
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a night landing with a simulated right engine failure, the multi-engine rated instrument student flared 'higher than normal.' The airspeed decreased to 'approximately 68 knots,' near the airplane's minimum control speed of 65 knots. The flight instructor (CFI) called for the student to add power. The student increased the power to the left engine only. The CFI was unaware that power was applied on only one engine until the airplane went out of control and turned to the right. The CFI attempted to regain control; however, the right wing struck the ground on the right side of the runway. The CFI stated that a breakdown in communication and the time of day were both significant factors. After the student placed both prop controls full forward during final approach, the CFI assumed, but did not verbally confirm, that the student was making a normal approach and landing. He was unable to see that the student was only grasping the left throttle due to the lack of light in the cockpit.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 550 hours in all; 227 in this make and model; 162 in the last 90 days; 58 in the last 30 days; 480 as pilot in command; 270 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1G6D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ADS Addison TX
- Destination: HQZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 6,000 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from DAL, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.