Pilot Debrief

BEECH C23 near Taylor, TX — 2016-10-01

Final reportCEN17LA003
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Date
2016-10-01
Location
Taylor, TX, USA
Airport
T74
Aircraft
BEECH C23
Registration
N9704L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of debris obstructing the fuel strainer screen and corrosion of the fuel strainer bowl.

NTSB narrative

During a personal cross-country flight, the airplane's engine lost power when the airplane was 1/2 mile from the destination airport. The airline transport pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane struck trees and severed both wings. The fuselage impacted the ground, and the airplane caught fire. Although many of the engine accessories were damaged or destroyed by the postcrash fire, a postaccident examination of the engine revealed considerable debris in the fuel strainer screen, and the fuel strainer bowl was extensively corroded. Thus, it is likely that the debris in the fuel strainer stopped adequate flow of fuel to the engine, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach earlier to avoid terrain impact.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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