# Accident 20141115020549A: Beech F33A, Clinton, CT, November 15, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 15, 2014, 16:06 local time
- Place: Clinton, CT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.3192° N, 72.5283° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3192&lon=-72.5283&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4548S, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4548S-2019-01-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech F33A (registry code 1151425, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F33A
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO 550
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,549 total, 827 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA15LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA053) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141115020549A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT NOTIFIED N90 TRACON AT 1606 EST THAT SHE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS. SHE WAS 3 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CHESTER AIRPORT, CT AT 4500 FEET MSL. CONTROLLER GAVE HER CLEARANCE TO LAND AT CHESTER AND TOLD HER TO TURN NORTH HEADING 360 AND LOOK FOR THE AIRPORT. PILOT DID NOT RESPOND TO CONTROLLER AND DID NOT TURN NORTH. PILOT STATED SHE COULD NOT SEE THE AIRPORT, AND THE SUN WAS IN HER EYES. CONTROLLER THEN TOLD HER THE AIRPORT WAS DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH HER AND TO TURN LEFT TO HEADING 180 AND LOOK TO HER LEFT FOR THE AIRPORT. SHE DID TURN TO 180. PILOT RESPONDED SHE STILL DIDN'T SEE THE AIRPORT, SHE REQUESTED VECTORS SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTROLLER RESPONDED TO LOOK BELOW FOR THE AIRPORT. SEVERAL OTHER PILOTS WHO KNEW HER AND WERE ALSO FLYING IN HER AREA TOLD HER TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS SEVERAL TIMES. SHE NEVER RESPONDED TO THEM. SHE FLEW THE 180 HEADING UNTIL SHE CRASHED INTO TREES IN CLINTON, CT. AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED IN THE CRASH. THE SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED APPROXIMATELY 20 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT WING TANK AND NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE LEFT WING TANK. FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE LEFT TANK POSITION. NTSB IS INTENDING TO ATTEMPT TO RUN THE ENGINE AND DETERMINE IF THERE WAS ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR IF IT WAS FUEL STARVED DUE TO IMPROPER FUEL MANAGEMENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA15LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA053), Nov 15, 2014: Beech F33A (N4548S), Clinton, CT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate fuel planning and improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to…

## Other reports on N4548S (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19900606029769I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900606029769I), Jun 6, 1990: Beech F33A (N4548S), Santa Monica, CA. Pilot given incorrect frequency for departure. Caused a misunderstanding on departure headings.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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