Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW93LA095

MIDLOTHIAN, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N800VT

BEECH 65-A90

Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AT NIGHT THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER TO BOTH ENGINES WHILE CRUISING AT 6,000 FEET. THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED HIGH HEADWINDS ALONG THEIR FLIGHT ROUTE. BOTH FUEL PUMPS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT IDENTIFIED A LOCAL AIRPORT WITH ITS RUNWAY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND. TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE 90 DEGREES FROM THE LONG AXIS OF THE RUNWAY. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED 2 PINTS OF FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. A PASSENGER REPORTED HEARING THE STALL WARNING HORN PRIOR TO GROUND CONTACT. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ABOUT 100 FEET FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT

Factual Information

On March 5, 1993, at approximately 0200 central standard time a Beech 65 A90, N800VT, was substantially damaged following a forced landing near Midlothian, Texas. The airplane was owned by the Roever Evangelistic Association Incorporated and was on an instrument flight rules flight plan from Crestview, Florida, to Fort Worth, Texas. Neither the commercial pilot, the co pilot or his 3 passengers were injured. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the airplane experienced a dual engine failure following the illumination of the left and right fuel boost pump at approximately 6,000 feet. He also reported that he was in contact with an FAA controller and informed him that he had the runway lights of the Midlothian airport in sight and entered a downwind leg at the Midlothian airport in an attempt to land. The pilot reported that he experienced high head winds enroute from Crestview, Florida, and was forced to fly at a lower altitude than he planned. Prior to departing Crestview the pilot stated that he added 140 gallons to the existing 160 gallons of jet fuel. An examination of the accident scene by the FAA inspector revealed that the airplane impacted the ground 80 feet short of the runway and 90 degrees perpendicular to the runway intended for landing. The inspector measured the total distance from the initial impact to the final resting place; he determined it had travelled approximately 100 feet. During the impact the left main landing gear collapsed and was separated from the airplane and the right wing sustained damage. A passenger reported that prior to impact with the ground he heard the stall warning horn. The FAA inspector determined that there was no evidence of fuel spillage at the accident scene. An examination of the fuel system by the inspector revealed no usable fuel, however, a total of 2 pints of jet fuel was captured from both fuel supply systems. The FAA inspector examined the airplane following the recovery and he found no fuel in any fuel cells or associated systems and no anomalies in the functional systems.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE INADVERTENT STALL DURING THE FLARE TOUCHDOWN

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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