Hawker Beechcraft Corporation E-55 accident near Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, May 13, 2008
On May 13, 2008 at about 1:50 am local time, a Hawker Beechcraft Corporation E-55, registered N5885C, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Coeur D'Alene, Idaho (Coeur D'Alene Air Terminal airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2008 · about 1:50 am local time
- Place
- Coeur D'Alene, Idaho · Coeur D'Alene Air Terminal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hawker Beechcraft Corporation E-55
- Registration
- N5885C · no longer on the register · serial TE868
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) had been flying for approximately 1.4 hours when they landed at the departure airport. The CFI requested that the PUI perform a short field takeoff. During the initial climb, the left engine lost power, the CFI confirmed the fuel selectors were on the main tanks, and they force-landed the airplane and impacted a vehicle. The CFI could not recall if the right engine also lost power. According to the CFI, the airplane had been fueled to capacity two days prior to the accident and had flown 2.8 hours when the accident occurred. The CFI said that both flights were flown extensively on the auxiliary tanks, but positioned to the main tanks approximately 5 minutes prior to landing and during the takeoff. Based on the fuel capacity of the airplane, adequate fuel should have been available in the airplane to conduct the flight. However, due to damage sustained during the impact sequence, the amount of fuel in each tank could not be confirmed. Examination of the engines and fuel systems revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,400 hours in all; 503 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 15,300 as pilot in command; 11,750 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 13, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,015 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 935 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 15, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,869.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 10, 2007; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Teledyne Continental IO-520-B2B (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Teledyne Continental IO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: COE Coeur D'Alene ID
- Destination: COE Coeur D'Alene ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 05, 7,400 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from COE, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.