NTSB Identification: NYC08FA143
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 21, 2008 in Rome, GA
Aircraft: Beech BE-76, registration: N184AA
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

On March 21, 2008, about 1625 eastern daylight time, a Beech BE-76, N184AA, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground while maneuvering after takeoff from the Richard B. Russell Airport (RMG), Rome, Georgia. The certificated flight instructor and a private pilot were fatally injured. Visual metrological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight that was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91.

The airplane was operated by a flight school and based at the Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Chamblee, Georgia. The private pilot was receiving instruction toward a multiengine airplane rating. The training syllabus for the flight included introduction to engine failures on takeoff and initial climb, as well as approaches and landings with an inoperative engine. The airplane departed PDK about 1530.

A witness at RMG observed the airplane climbing after takeoff from runway 19, a 6,000-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, asphalt runway. He stated the airplane seemed to be "struggling" and was climbing at a very slow rate of speed. The airplane reached an altitude of 600 to 800 feet, and began a left turn, consistent with a return to the airport. The airplane then began a nose first descent toward the trees, southeast of the airport.

The airplane impacted in a field surrounded by small trees and shrubs, and came to rest upright, on a heading of approximately 040 degrees. All major portions of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. A post crash fire consumed the majority of the wreckage forward of the empennage. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the ailerons, elevator and rudder control surfaces to the forward cockpit area. The fuel selector valve in each wing was observed selected to its respective engine. Measurement of the flap actuator jackscrew corresponded to a 0 to 5 degree flap setting, and measurement of the rudder trim corresponded to a 5 degree, nose left position. The landing gear was observed in the retracted position.

The right engine was observed upright, canted nose down and to the left, and sustained fire damage. The right engine initially could not be rotated via an accessory drive gear. After the accessory case and oil sump were removed, the engine rotated freely via the crankshaft gear bolt. Valve train continuity and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. The engine driven fuel pump, fuel hoses, dual magneto and ignition harness could not be examined due to fire damage. The carburetor was fire damaged; however, it was disassembled. The float was destroyed, but the float hinge pin and needle assembly were intact. All spark plugs were removed. Their electrodes were intact and gray in color. A borescope examination of all cylinders did not reveal any discrepancies. The oil pump rotated freely; however, gears located in the accessory section exhibited thermal discoloration and did not rotate freely. The right propeller and crankshaft flange were separated and partially buried in the ground in front of the engine. One blade contained torsional twisting, leading edge gouges, and chord-wise scratches. The other blade was curled aft approximately 10 degrees.

The left engine was observed upright, canted nose down about 30 degrees, and sustained fire damage. The left engine initially could be rotated via the propeller about 10 degrees. After the accessory case and oil sump were removed, the engine rotated freely. Valve train continuity and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. The carburetor, engine driven fuel pump, fuel hoses, dual magneto and ignition harness, could not be examined due to fire damage. All spark plugs were removed. Their electrodes were intact and gray in color. A borescope examination of all cylinders did not reveal any discrepancies. The oil pump housing was discolored consistent with heat damage and the pump could not be rotated. Disassembly of the oil pump did not reveal any damage to the gears, gear shafts or housing. The left propeller remained attached to the engine. Both propeller blades were oriented about 10 to 15 degrees from the feathered (high pitch) position. One blade was not damaged and the other blade was bent aft approximately 90 degrees at mid-span. According to a representative from the propeller manufacturer, examination of the propeller counterweights and spinner was consistent with the left propeller impacting in a low pitch position, and then being driven to high pitch.

The airplane's most recent 100 hour inspection was performed on March 4, 2008. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had been operated for 5,025 total hours.

The flight school reported that the flight instructor had accumulated approximately 827 hours of total flight experience, which included 111 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

The private pilot had accumulated 182 hours of total fight experience, which included 7 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

The weather reported at RMG, at 1653, was: wind from 180 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statue miles, sky clear, temperature 22 degrees Celsius (C), dew point -3 degrees C, altimeter 30.06 inches of mercury.