Pilot Debrief

BEECH F33A near Perry, KS — 2010-07-01

Final reportCEN10FA364
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Date
2010-07-01
Location
Perry, KS, USA
Aircraft
BEECH F33A
Registration
N3071T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The failure of the engine driven fuel pump causing a loss of engine power and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the emergency procedures checklist and utilize the electric fuel boost pump which would have restored engine power.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the emergency procedures checklist and utilize the electric fuel boost pump which would have restored engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported a loss of engine power to an air traffic controller and was then provided vectors to an airport located 10 miles south of the airplane's position. The radar track illustrated the airplane reversed course back to the east and then to the south towards the airport. According to a witness in the area, the airplane was extremely low and started to turn or rotate when the nose dropped and he lost sight of the airplane; the airplane impacted an open field in a nose low attitude. Recorded engine data revealed that the fuel flow dropped to zero and cylinder head temperature and rpm decreased. An examination of the airframe and its related systems revealed no anomalies. An examination of the engine revealed that the engine driven fuel pump was seized and could not be rotated by hand. Further examination revealed that foreign particles in the bearing resulted in the seizure of the fuel pump. The source of the foreign particles was not determined. The emergency procedures checklist for a loss of engine power included the activation of the auxiliary fuel pump. The switch was in the off position at the accident site. An examination of the auxiliary fuel pump revealed no anomalies.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have selected fuel boost pump on after engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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