Pilot Debrief

BEECH 19A near Newport Beach, CA — 2010-11-22

Final reportWPR11FA054
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Date
2010-11-22
Location
Newport Beach, CA, USA
Airport
SNA
Aircraft
BEECH 19A
Registration
N6064N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

During a cross-country flight in dark night visual meteorological conditions, the pilot contacted the air traffic control tower and requested landing instructions/permission. About 5 minutes after the pilot initially contacted the tower controller, he transmitted and confirmed to the controller that the airplane had run out of fuel and that he was going to try to make it to the airport. The pilot was unable to reach the airport and subsequently landed the airplane in an ecological reserve in about 3 feet of water; the airplane came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. While several ounces of fuel were found in the carburetor bowl, no fuel was found in the main fuel line to the carburetor or in the wing fuel tanks, which contained ounces of water.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not ensure adequate fuel before departure from CXL.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • Photos
  • 17 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents17

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