Pilot Debrief

BEECH A23 24 near Grove Hill, AL — 2015-06-01

Final reportERA15LA232
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Date
2015-06-01
Location
Grove Hill, AL, USA
Airport
3A0
Aircraft
BEECH A23 24
Registration
N29JR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because engine examination and testing did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the long cross-country flight, he stopped at an intermediate airport and added 30 gallons of fuel to the airplane. About 15 minutes after departure from that airport and while the airplane was cruising at 3,500 ft, the engine lost all power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine using the emergency procedures but was unsuccessful. He then chose a field for an emergency landing. During the landing on rough terrain, the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination of the wreckage revealed that each wing fuel tank was about half full, and fuel drained from the fuel sump did not contain any visible contamination. Subsequent engine examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions, and the engine was test run successfully.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land at the nearby airport instead of the field.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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