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April 17, 1984 · Beech A23-24 · N5676S

Bowman, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Bowman, CA
Aircraft
Beech A23-24
Tail Number
N5676S
Operator
James Porter/Steven Lewis
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX84FA259

ON A FLT FROM FAIR OAKS, CA, TO RENO, NV, A FLT OF ABOUT 1 HR 15 MINS, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE PLT ASKED THE PAX TO SELECT THE OTHER FUEL TANK. THE SELCTOR HANDLE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE VALVE. BUT THE PAX LOCATED THE HANDLE AND TURNED THE VALVE. THIS ACTION DID NOT AID IN RESTARTING THE ENGINE. DURING A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE, AN ELECTRIC CABLE, THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND. AN INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS IN THE 'OFF' POSITION. BEECH SERVICE INSTRUCTION NO 1095, WHICH PROVIDED FOR STOPS ON THE FUEL VALVE TO PRECLUDE INADVERTENT SELECTION OF THE OFF POSITION HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 6 HRS PREVIOUSLY WITHOUT REFUELING. NORMAL ENDURANCE IS 6-1/2 HRS. ABOUT 6 GALS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE PLT, A FORMER ARMY AVIATOR, HELD NO FAA PLT RATINGS. A TOXICOLOGY TEST OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.177%.

Full Narrative

ON A FLT FROM FAIR OAKS, CA, TO RENO, NV, A FLT OF ABOUT 1 HR 15 MINS, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE PLT ASKED THE PAX TO SELECT THE OTHER FUEL TANK. THE SELCTOR HANDLE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE VALVE. BUT THE PAX LOCATED THE HANDLE AND TURNED THE VALVE. THIS ACTION DID NOT AID IN RESTARTING THE ENGINE. DURING A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE, AN ELECTRIC CABLE, THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND. AN INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS IN THE 'OFF' POSITION. BEECH SERVICE INSTRUCTION NO 1095, WHICH PROVIDED FOR STOPS ON THE FUEL VALVE TO PRECLUDE INADVERTENT SELECTION OF THE OFF POSITION HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 6 HRS PREVIOUSLY WITHOUT REFUELING. NORMAL ENDURANCE IS 6-1/2 HRS. ABOUT 6 GALS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE PLT, A FORMER ARMY AVIATOR, HELD NO FAA PLT RATINGS. A TOXICOLOGY TEST OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.177%.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:40 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A23-24
Tail NumberN5676S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames Porter/Steven Lewis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A2B · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind210° @ 14 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time08:49
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data