Pilot Debrief

HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORP G36 near Inverness, FL — 2015-03-23

Final reportERA15LA166
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Date
2015-03-23
Location
Inverness, FL, USA
Aircraft
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORP G36
Registration
N936B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

While on an instrument flight rules flight in visual meteorological conditions, about 20 miles from the destination airport, rhe pilot requested radar vectors to the destination airport, then advised the air traffic controller that that there was a problem with the engine and asked for radar vectors to a closer airport. The airplane subsequently crashed in the yard of a residence about a mile from the closer airport; the airfram was substantiall damaged during the impact. During recovery of the airplane from the accident site, there was no evidence of fuel spillage from the one compromised fuel tank; about 7 to 8 total gallons of fuel were recovered from the other three fuel tanks. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure of any airframe or engine components that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident fuel consumption calculations based on fuel receipts and GPS data showed that the airplane had likely consumed all but the limited fuel that was recovered. Given this information, it is likely that there was insufficient fuel onboard for the flight and the pilot exhausted the airplane's usable fuel supply, which resulted in the subsequent total loss of engine power and a forced landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to Inverness Airport earlier when engine issues arose.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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