Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL90LA092

BRUNSWICK, GA, USA

Aircraft #1

N5180C

BEECH B35

Analysis

ON THE RETURN FLT TO THE AIRPORT, THE PLT ESTABLISHED A DESCENT & THE ENG LOST POWER AT ABOUT 1000 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY SWITCHING FUEL TANKS. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND ESTABLISHED A GLIDE FOR A MARSH AREA, BUT THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE. THE PILOT EXITED THE INVERTED AIRCRAFT UNASSISTED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT WING AND FUSELAGE TANK CONTAINED FUEL; HOWEVER, THE RIGHT WING TANK WAS EMPTY.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MANAGE HIS FUEL SUPPLY BY SWITCHING TO A TANK WITH FUEL PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. COLLISION WITH THE TREE(S) WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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