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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 7, 2005 · Raytheon A36 · N838DM

Nashua, NH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 2005
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Nashua, NH
Aircraft
Raytheon A36
Tail Number
N838DM
Operator
David Massad
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC05LA130

Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power, and subsequently impacted trees during the ensuing forced landing. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Both fuel tanks were compromised; however, there was no evidence of a fuel spill in the area surrounding the accident site. At the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated for about 95 total hours, and 10 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 4 months prior to the accident. The airplane was owned by the pilot and sold about 5 months prior the accident. With regard to the accident, the pilot informed the new owner and a mechanic that the airplane did not have any mechanical problems, and he thought that he could make it back to his home airport when he experienced a power loss due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and subsequent collision with trees during a forced landing.

Full Narrative

On August 6, 2005, about 2010 eastern daylight time, a Raytheon A36, N838DM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Nashua, New Hampshire. The certificated commercial pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Laconia, New Hampshire, destined for Worcester (ORH), Massachusetts. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was owned by the pilot, and based at ORH. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that he departed Laconia with the fuel gages indicating that the right fuel tank was 1/2 full, and the left fuel tank was 1/4 full. The pilot added that he intended to top off the fuel tanks when he returned to ORH. The takeoff was normal, however, approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, with the fuel selector selected to the left fuel tank, he noticed the right fuel tank was dropping. The pilot attempted to land at Boire Field, Nashua, New Hampshire; however, the engine experienced a total power loss, and the airplane impacted trees, about 1/2-mile northwest of the airport. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. The inspector noted that both fuel tanks were compromised, and there was no evidence of a fuel spill in the area surrounding the accident site. At the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated for about 95 total hours, and 10 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on March 3, 2005. The pilot did not submit the required NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form for the accident. According to FAA records, the pilot sold the airplane on March 9, 2006. With regard to the accident, the pilot informed the new owner and a mechanic that the airplane did not have any mechanical problems and he thought he could make it back to his home airport, when he experienced a power loss due to fuel exhaustion.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:10 EDT
Nearest AirportBOIRE (1nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft

AircraftRaytheon A36
Tail NumberN838DM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid Massad
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · IO-550 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind4 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data