# NTSB ATL06CA131: Beech A36, N69PM, Macon, GA, September 29, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 29, 2006, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Macon, GA - Coordinates: 32.690555, -83.642776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6906&lon=-83.6428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO-11 - NTSB case key (mKey): 64622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64622/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA131 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, emergency descent/landing - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - wall/barricade ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was at cruise flight at 8,000 feet, when he was instructed by Atlanta Approach Control to descend, and maintain 6,000 feet. As the airplane descended through 6,500 feet the engine began to run rough and stopped. The pilot stated that he immediately switched fuel tanks, and began "to experiment with the manifold pressure knob, and mixture knobs, by pushing them in and out to see if the engine would run again." The pilot made a forced landing on I-75, and the left-wing tip collided with a guardrail. Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed that the left fuel tank was empty, and the right fuel tank had approximately 33 gallons of fuel. No evidence of fuel system leakage was noted. The airplane was recovered to the Macon Downtown Airport, and an engine start was accomplished using the start procedures in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. The engine was started using the airplane's fuel and battery power. The engine idled at 700 to 750 rpm and operated smoothly up to 1200 rpm; higher rpm was not attempted. The engine was shut down, and the 12 gallons of fuel was defueled from the right fuel tank, and placed in the left fuel tank. An engine start was accomplished using the start procedures with the fuel selector on the left tank. The engine started and idled at 700 to 750 rpm, and operated up to 1200 rpm. During the engine run the boost pump was turned off and on, and the engine continued to run smoothly. A review of the Pilot's Operating Handbook for the Raytheon Aircraft Beech A36, Section III: Emergency Procedures, Engine Failure, In Flight, states: "1. Fuel Selector Valve - SELECT OTHER TANK (feel for detent), 2. Magneto/Start Switch-CHECK BOTH, 3. Auxiliary Fuel Pump - HI, 4. Mixture Control- FULL RICH, then LEAN AS REQUIRED. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2006, at 1210 eastern standard time, a Beech A36, N69PM, registered to Bienvee LLC, and operated by a private owner as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, lost engine power and made a forced landing on interstate 75 (I-75) near Macon, Georgia. The airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The commercial rated pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Hernando County Airport, Brooksville, Florida, on September 29, 2006, at 1018. The pilot stated that he was at cruise flight at 8,000 feet when he was instructed by Atlanta Approach Control to descend and maintain 6,000 feet. The pilot began the descent by reducing the manifold pressure to 18 inches. As the airplane descended, the pilot turned the mixture control clockwise (rich) to maintain a fuel consumption of 14 gph. At 6,500, feet the engine began to run rough and stopped. The pilot immediately switched fuel tanks and began "to experiment with the manifold pressure knob and mixture knobs by pushing them in and out to see if the engine would run again." As the airplane continued to lose altitude, the pilot advised controller that he had an engine failure and needed to be radar vectored to the nearest airport. Air Traffic Control advised the pilot that the Macon Downtown Airport would be the closest airport, and to turn to a heading of 130°. After making the turn, the pilot realized that he was unable to make it to the airport and chose to make a forced landing on Interstate Highway 75. The pilot landed the airplane on the grass median on the northbound side of the highway. The left wingtip collided with a guardrail, and the airplane spun around 180°. The pilot stated that he turned the fuel selector handle and electrical switches to the off position before exiting the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed that the underside of the engine cowling was crushed. The left wing and fuselage were buckled. All three propeller blade tips were curled aft. The left fuel tank cap was secure, and inspection revealed the tank was empty with no evidence of fuel system leakage. Inspection of the right fuel tank revealed that it had approximately 33 gallons of fuel, and no evidence of fuel system leakage was noted. The airplane was recovered to the Macon Downtown Airport, and an engine start was accomplished using the start procedures in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. The engine was started using the airplanes right fuel tank and battery power. The engine idled at 700 to 750 rpm and operated smoothly up to 1200 rpm; higher rpm was not attempted. The engine was shut down, and the 12 gallons of fuel was defueled from the right fuel tank, and placed in the left fuel tank. An engine start was accomplished using the start procedures with the fuel selector on the left fuel tank. The engine started and idled at 700 to 750 rpm, and operated up to 1200 rpm. During the engine run the boost pump was turned off and on, and the engine continued to run smoothly. A review of the Pilot's Operating Handbook for the Raytheon Aircraft Beech A36, Section III: Emergency Procedures, Engine Failure, In Flight, states: "1. Fuel Selector Valve - SELECT OTHER TANK (feel for detent), 2. Magneto/Start Switch-CHECK BOTH, 3. Auxiliary Fuel Pump - HI, 4. Mixture Control- FULL RICH, then LEAN AS REQUIRED. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N69PM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69PM-2008-10-20), registration cancelled 2008-10-20, S/N E-1519, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-1519 - Airframe hours: 3704 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B5F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bienvee LLC. - Registered owner: Bienvee LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005, 95 hours before - Departed: BKV, BROOKSVILLE, FL - Destination: LZU, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MAC, Herbert Smart Downtown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,888 total, 188 in this make and model, 1,659 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: MCN, 5 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20060929031119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060929031119A), Sep 29, 2006: Beech A36, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) IFR flight plan brooksville, FL to lawrenceville, GA. Instructed to descend from 8000' to 6000' by atlanta approach control. Approaching 6000', the pilot… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.