Pilot Debrief

RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY B36TC near Chesterfield, MO — 2017-12-06

Final reportCEN18FA049
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Date
2017-12-06
Location
Chesterfield, MO, USA
Airport
SUS
Aircraft
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY B36TC
Registration
N679EA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was nearing the destination airport at the conclusion of an approximate 1,100 nautical mile cross-country flight; the accident occurred about 5 hours 26 minutes after takeoff. During the visual approach for landing, the pilot performed a constant left turn for about 3 minutes from the downwind leg to the final leg of the traffic pattern. About the time the pilot rolled out of the left turn and onto the final approach leg, he reported to the tower controller that he had an issue and was losing engine power. The airplane subsequently impacted a gas station pump canopy and parking lot about 1 mile from the end of the runway, where it was destroyed during a post-impact fire. Several witnesses near the accident location observed the airplane at a low altitude with the wings rocking back and forth, and they heard no engine noise. A postaccident examination of the airframe and a functional engine test revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel selector was found on the left tank position. The total fuel quantity of fuel on board the airplane at takeoff and the quantity remaining in each fuel tank at the accident site could not be determined; however, the airplane would likely have been low on fuel as it neared the departure airport. It is likely that the pilot's extended left turn from downwind to final approach moved fuel away from the fuel tank pick up point, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have verified fuel levels before departure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 17 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents17

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