Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN93LA001

STEAMBOAT SPRGS, CO, USA

Aircraft #1

N4532S

BEECH F33A

Analysis

DURING CLIMB OVER A 12,000 FOOT MOUNTAIN RANGE FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING SUFFICIENT POWER SO HE ELECTED TO TURN TOWARDS LOWER TERRAIN. THE ENGINE THEN FAILED TOTALLY AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN HIGH VEGETATION NEXT TO A HAY FIELD. DURING LANDING SLIDE, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A DITCH. EXAMINATION PROVIDED EVIDENCE OF NO FUEL IN THE LINES OR STRAINER AND ONLY TRACES OF FUEL IN THE FUEL CONTROL. A TEST RUN OF THE ENGINE PRODUCED NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION. THE WINGS CONTAINED WHAT THE SALVAGE CREW DESCRIBED AS ADEQUATE FUEL FOR OPERATION, AND THE HAY FIELD WAS DESCRIBED AS SUITABLE FOR A NORMAL LANDING.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA WHEN A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA WAS AVAILABLE. A FACTOR WAS: FUEL STARVATION FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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