Pilot Debrief

BEECH E17L near Discovery Bay, WA — 2017-01-24

Final reportWPR17LA058
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Date
2017-01-24
Location
Discovery Bay, WA, USA
Airport
0S9
Aircraft
BEECH E17L
Registration
N41663
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that after departure for the local flight, he maneuvered the airplane along the shoreline, and the airplane reached about 900 ft above ground level. The fuel pressure then dropped to zero, and the low-pressure light illuminated. The pilot switched fuel tanks and activated the fuel pump; however, the pressure remained at zero. The pilot attempted to restart the engine and switched tanks again, to no avail. He ditched the airplane in the bay, and the airplane became submerged after impact. After the airplane was recovered, the pilot removed the top wings, which revealed water in the fuel tanks. Due to the submersion of the airplane, it could not be determined if water was in the fuel tanks before the accident, and the fuel system could not be examined. The pilot also noticed that the ground wire on the electric pump was loose; however, it could not be determined if the loose wire was a result of impact. Thus, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel system integrity before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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