BEECH 65-A90, FENTRESS, TEXAS, OCT. 17, 2003–King Air N511BF was destroyed during a forced landing at approximately 3:30 p.m., following a loss of engine power near Fentress. The sole-occupant commercial-rated pilot sustained minor injuries. The King Air A90 was registered to American Aircraft Sales International of Venice, Fla., and was operated by Sky Dive San Marcos of San Marcos, Texas. VMC prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Part 91 skydiving flight, which originated from Fentress Airpark (XS90) about 30 minutes before the accident.
The 1,127-hour pilot told an FAA inspector that all systems appeared to be running normally throughout the flight from takeoff until the descent, after the jumpers were released from 14,000 feet. Once the jumpers were out, the pilot set the torque levers to idle, retracted flaps and set the propellers to 1,800 rpm, descending toward Fentress Airpark. As the flight approached the airport, the pilot selected approach flaps and extended the landing gear, then verified “three green” on the pedestal.
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