MIRAMAR, FL, USA
N2387J
BEECH 23
AFTER THE PLT LNDD, THE ACFT WAS SERVICED WITH 58.9 GAL OF FUEL. ITS FUEL CAPACITY WAS 60 GAL. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN THE PLT TOOK OFF, THE ACFT REMAINED ON THE RWY FOR ABOUT 2500' OF THE AVAILABLE 3000'. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT ENTERED A RGT TURN & REACHED A RPRTD ALT OF ONLY ABOUT 100'. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ENG WAS NOT RUNNING AT FULL PWR & THAT DARK GRAY SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ITS EXHAUST. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE ACFT STALLED AS THE PLT WAS APPARENTLY ATTEMPTING TO TURN BACK. THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE ROOF OF AN UNOCCUPIED CHURCH SCHOOL. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER & SAND. WATER & SAND WERE ALSO FND IN THE FUEL FILTER & CARBURETOR FINGER STRAINER. BOTH FUEL CAPS WERE TESTED & FND TO LEAK WHEN WATER WAS APPLIED TO THE UPPER WING SURFACE. THE MANUFACTURER (BEECH) HAD ISSUED A CLASS I SVC BULLETIN (SB) FOR INSTALLATION OF IMPROVED FUEL TANK CAPS; HOWEVER, IMPROVED FUEL CAPS HAD NOT BEENINSTALLED. ALSO, CORROSION WAS EVIDENT IN THE WING SUMP & FUEL FILTER DRAINS, MAKING THE LATTER DIFFICULT TO OPERATE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
