Beech E55 accident near Block Island, Rhode Island, September 26, 1987
On September 26, 1987 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Beech E55, registered N4158A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Block Island, Rhode Island (Block Island airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 26, 1987 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Block Island, Rhode Island · Block Island
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech E55 · all E55s on the register
- Registration
- N4158A · registry record · serial TE796
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
JUST BEFORE LIFT-OFF, AFTER THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCELLERATED TO ABOUT 115 MPH, THE DOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE CAME OPEN. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE 2500' RUNWAY. AFTER DEPARTING THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT WENT THROUGH A FENCE, DOWN A GULLY AND ONTO A ROAD BEFORE COMING TO REST. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS REPORTED.
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: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,950 hours in all; 347 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 4,880 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-C/CB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 5:45 pm from BID
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.