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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 10, 2001 · Beech 55 · N8472N

Lake Wales, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 10, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lake Wales, FL
Aircraft
Beech 55
Tail Number
N8472N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL01LA038

While on final approach to land on runway 6, 100 feet above the ground and 1/4 mile from touchdown, both engines lost power. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a pasture. During the forced landing, the main landing gear was torn from the airframe, and the airplane sustained major structural damage. Examination revealed the airplane's engines failed due to fuel starvation. The pilot did not report any component failure before his forced landing in the field. He had flown only approximately three hours before experiencing a loss of power on both engines. He used the fuel from the auxiliary fuel tanks en route to the destination airport and switched the fuel selectors to the main tanks on final approach. Both the descent and before landing checklists require that the pilot switch the fuel selectors to the main fuel tanks.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to follow the descent and before landing checklist that resulted in fuel starvation to both engines and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On March 10, 2001, at 1030 eastern standard time, a Beech 55, N8472N, collided with the ground during an attempted forced landing in a pasture near Lake Wales, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Elkin, North Carolina, at 0710 hours. Reportedly, upon arriving within range of the destination airport, the pilot cancelled his instrument flight clearance and entered the traffic pattern for a visual approach. While on final approach to land on runway 06, 100 feet above the ground and 1/4 mile from touchdown, both engines lost power. The pilot selected and attempted a forced landing in a nearby pasture. During the landing roll, the main landing gear was torn from the airframe, and the airplane sustained major structural damage. Examination of the airplane did not reveal that any mechanical problems were found . The pilot had not reported a mechanical problem with the airplane before the total loss of power before his forced landing in the field. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook, (POH) the BE-55 with the fuel system capacity of 136 gallons has an estimated endurance of five to seven hours. The pilot had flown only approximately three hours before experiencing a loss of power on both engines. The pilot also reported that he used the fuel from the auxiliary fuel tanks enroute to the destination airport. The pilot stated that he switched the fuel selectors to the main tanks on final approach. Both the descent and before landing checklists require that the pilot switch the fuel selectors to the main fuel tanks. The examination of the fuel system at the accident site disclosed that both main fuel tanks were full. The pilot stated that this accident could have been prevent by using "better fuel management. "

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EST
Nearest AirportLake Wales (0nm ENE)
Runway06
Runway Length3999 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 55
Tail NumberN8472N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · 520 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 20 kt, gusting 7 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data