Pilot Debrief

BEECH A36 near Cleveland, TX — 2021-12-02

Final reportCEN22LA059
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Date
2021-12-02
Location
Cleveland, TX, USA
Airport
6R3
Aircraft
BEECH A36
Registration
N8038Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, the reason for which could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the airplane’s engine lost power suddenly. He noted that he was not in the process of changing or manipulating any controls when the power loss occurred. The pilot reported that the fuel flow to the engine dropped and the engine lost power, which is supported by engine monitor data. The pilot’s attempts to restore fuel flow and restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot realized that he would not be able to reach the airport he had selected and redirected the airplane toward a nearby highway. During the landing flare on the highway, the right-wing tip struck a road sign. The airplane exited the highway and came to rest nose down in a ditch which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During recovery of the airplane, 22 gallons of fuel were recovered from the right-wing fuel tanks, and 26 gallons were recovered from the left-wing fuel tanks. Postaccident examination of the airplane and an engine test run were performed. The engine ran normally and no reason for the interruption of fuel flow was discovered. Based on the available information, the airplane’s engine lost power due to a fuel flow interruption for reasons that could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before the flight to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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