Aviation Accident Summary DEN89LA194

SANTA FE, NM, USA

Aircraft #1

N3077X

BEECH A36

Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LEANED THE MIXTURE PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 9300 FT. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THE PILOT INCREASED THE MIXTURE TO FULL RICH. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON ROUGH, DESERT TERRAIN. THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL FOR THIS AIRCRAFT SPECIFIED THAT TAKEOFF SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE MIXTURE SET AT FULL RICH, REGARDLESS OF THE ALTITUDE, SINCE 'THE ENGINE-DRIVEN ALTITUDE COMPENSATING FUEL PUMP WILL AUTOMATICALLY LEAN ENGINE MIXTURE.'

Probable Cause and Findings

IMPROPER USE OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL BY THE PILOT DURING TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN CONTRIBUTED TO THE AIRCRAFT DAMAGE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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