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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 14, 2013 · Beech A60 · N7466D

Abilene, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 14, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Abilene, TX
Aircraft
Beech A60
Tail Number
N7466D
Operator
Frank Leroy Bell
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13CA162

The pilot reported that he had added fuel at the previous fuel stop and that he was using a fuel totalizer to determine the quantity of fuel onboard. After climbing to a cruise altitude of 14,000 feet above ground level, he discovered that the fuel mixture control was frozen and that he was unable to lean the mixture to a lower fuel flow setting. The pilot reported that because of the increased fuel consumption, he briefly considered an en route stop for additional fuel but decided to continue. During descent, the airplane experienced a complete loss of power in both engines, and the pilot made an emergency off-field, gear-up landing about 7 miles from the destination. The airplane impacted terrain and thick scrub trees, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, both engine mounts, and the fuselage. A postaccident examination found that only a trace of fuel remained. The pilot also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure and that his inadequate fuel management was partly because he had become overconfident in his abilities after 50 years of flying.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that he had added a specified amount of fuel at the previous fuel stop and he was using a fuel totalizer to determine the quantity of fuel on-board. After climbing to a cruise altitude of 14,000 feet above ground level he discovered that the fuel mixture control was frozen and he was unable to lean the mixture to a lower fuel flow setting. The pilot reported that because of the increased fuel consumption he briefly considered an enroute stop for additional fuel but decided to continue. During descent the airplane experienced a complete loss of power in both engines and the pilot made an emergency off-field gear-up landing about 7 miles from the destination. The airplane impacted terrain and thick scrub trees which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, both engine mounts, and the fuselage. A postaccident examination found that only a trace of fuel remained. The pilot also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure and that his inadequate fuel management was partly because he had become overconfident in his abilities after 50 years of flying.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A60
Tail NumberN7466D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFrank Leroy Bell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-541 SER · Reciprocating · 310 | Lycoming · TI0-541 SER · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 75 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 25 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time16:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data