Pilot Debrief

Beech 55 near Grove City, PA — 2019-10-01

Final reportERA20LA052
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Date
2019-10-01
Location
Grove City, PA, USA
Airport
29D
Aircraft
Beech 55
Registration
N9404Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s mismanagement of the airplane’s available fuel, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power to the left engine, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while on final approach to the runway.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the twin-engine airplane was returning to the departure airport and was on final approach to the runway at an altitude of about 200 ft above ground level. The pilot believed that the airplane was approaching the runway too low and increased power to the engines, but the left engine did not respond as he expected. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control of the airplane, but the airplane impacted the grass to the left of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left fuel selector was positioned to the main tank, where about 4.6 gallons of fuel (3.5 gallons of which was usable) were present. One ounce of fuel was found in the main fuel line to the left engine, and “one drop” of fuel was found in the fuel line to the fuel flow divider. Examination of the left engine otherwise revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation at the time of the accident. The pilot provided conflicting statements describing of the events that transpired on the day of the accident regarding the flight’s itinerary and the amount of fuel onboard the airplane. Given that the postaccident examination of the engine showed no discrepancies, and that only trace amounts of fuel were found in the fuel system and engine, it is most likely that the pilot did not adequately manage the available fuel supply, which resulted in the reported loss of left engine power while on final approach to the runway. The pilot subsequently failed to maintain directional control of the airplane during the events that followed, which ultimately resulted in impact with terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have refueled before returning to 29D with low fuel.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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