Wichita-Beechcraft Field

Shortly after takeoff, the left engine began to progressively lose power and was shut down. The aircrew notified Beech Tower of the problem and reported they would like to return and land. The aircraft was observed on final approach to runway 18 with the gear extended and the left prop stopped. Before landing, the aircraft began veering to the left. It crossed over the end of the airport at about 40 feet agl and 300 feet left (east) of the runway. The left wing and nose dropped and the aircraft impacted the ramp, left wing first. The aircraft then skidded across the ramp on a heading of 160° and collided with and damaged three other aircraft; a Beechcraft F33A registered N1833S; another Beechcraft 60 Duke registered N6747D and a Beechcraft 58 registered N5800B. An investigation revealed that the #2 exhaust valve lifter had become flat and the #2 exhaust valve had failed from fatigue. Both pilots escaped uninjured.

At liftoff, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames by the runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was engaged in a local test flight at Wichita-Beechcraft Field before the aircraft should be delivered to the French operator Flo Air.

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local test flight on this first prototype of the new Beechcraft 25 (later called AT-10 Wichita) by the US Army. The twin engine airplane crashed for unknown reasons upon takeoff, killing the pilot Major George Moody who will give his name to the Moody AAF near Valdosta, Georgia.