Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN09LA501

Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Aircraft #1

N4554V

BEECH 35

Analysis

The pilot departed and was destined for an airport 17 miles away for a planned fuel stop. While at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet and about 8 miles from his planned destination, the airplane's single engine stopped producing power. The pilot was able to restart the engine after he activated the electric fuel pump and selected the left fuel tank. The engine continued to produce power until approximately 3 miles from the destination airport when it again lost complete power. The pilot selected a field and executed a forced landing. During the landing rollout the airplane nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the airplane’s fuel tanks were not breached and contained only a residual amount of fuel. The inspector further reported that the vegetation underneath the fuel tanks did not exhibit signatures of a fuel spill.

Factual Information

On August 5, 2009, about 1900 central daylight time, a single-engine Beech 35 airplane, N4554V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The private pilot, sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Integrity Aviation Solutions LLC., of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he had departed Myrick Airport (330K), Edmond, Oklahoma, and was destined 17 miles away for a planned fuel stop at the Sundance Airpark (HSD), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. While at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet and about 8 miles from HSD, the airplane's single engine stopped producing power. The pilot was able to restart the engine after he activated the electric fuel pump and selected the left fuel tank. The engine continued to produce power until approximately 3 miles from HSD, when it again lost complete power. The pilot selected a field and executed a force landing. During the landing rollout the airplane nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. Pictures provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the airplane’s stabilators sustained structural damage during the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site shortly after the accident. The inspector reported that the airplane’s fuel tanks were not breached and contained a residual amount of fuel. The inspector further reported that the vegetation underneath the fuel tanks did not exhibited signatures of a fuel spill.

Probable Cause and Findings

A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel planning.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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