# NTSB ATL07CA068: Beech D50E, N107WB, Decatur, AL, April 6, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 6, 2007, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Decatur, AL - Coordinates: 34.652221, -86.940551 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6522&lon=-86.9406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO-09 - NTSB case key (mKey): 65795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA068 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in failure of both engines due to fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot departed on the cross country flight using the fuel from both main fuel tanks. Approximately one half hour into the flight the pilot stated that he switched both engines to the auxiliary fuel tanks. Two hours into the flight the right engine ran out of fuel. He switched the right fuel selector back to the main tank and turned on the electric boost pump. The engine surged and quit again. The pilot contacted air traffic control for a heading to the nearest airport and turned 180 degrees toward Pryor Field, Decatur, Alabama. The left engine stopped, and he turned the left engine fuel selector to the left main tank. He turned on the electric fuel boost pump and the engine failed to start. The pilot advised air traffic control that he had a fuel problem, and would not make it to the airport. He feathered the propellers and made an emergency landing in a field. After the forced landing the pilot and occupants exited the airplane uninjured. The pilot inspected both right fuel tanks and found both tanks empty. He inspected the left auxiliary tank and found it full and the left main was found with a lot of fuel. He reported that when he switched the fuel tanks to auxiliary positions he must have accidentally place the left fuel selector in the cross feed position. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he departed the Augusta Regional Airport/Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia, enroute to the General Dewitt Spain Airport, Memphis, Tennessee. He departed using the fuel from both main fuel tanks. Approximately one half hour into the flight the pilot stated that he switched both engines to the auxiliary fuel tanks. Two hours into the flight the right engine ran out of fuel. He switched the right fuel selector back to the main tank and turned on the electric boost pump. The engine surged and quit again. The pilot contacted air traffic control for a heading to the nearest airport and turned 180 degrees toward Pryor Field, Decatur, Alabama. The left engine stopped, and he turned the left engine fuel selector to the left main tank. He turned on the electric fuel boost pump and the engine failed to start. The pilot advised air traffic control that he had a fuel problem, and would not make it to the airport. He feathered the propellers and made an emergency landing in a field. After the forced landing the pilot and occupants exited the airplane uninjured. The pilot inspected both right fuel tanks and found both tanks empty. He inspected the left auxiliary tank and found it full and the left main was found with a lot of fuel. He reported that when he switched the fuel tanks to auxiliary positions he must have accidentally place the left fuel selector in the cross feed position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N107WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N107WB-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N DH-332 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech D50E - Registry model: [Beech D50E](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d50e) (registry code 1152522) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: DH-332 - Airframe hours: 5870 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480-G206 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Magnolia Flight Services Incorporated - Registered owner: Magnolia Flight Services Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2006, 70 hours before - Departed: AGS, AUGUSTA, GA - Destination: M01, MEMPHIS, TN - Airport: DCU, Pryor Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 7,336 total, 226 in this make and model, 7,300 as pilot in command, 119 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DCU, 12 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 20070406005599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070406005599A), Apr 6, 2007: Beech D50E, Elk Mont, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that one half hour into the flight from augusta, ga to memphis, TN, he switched the fuel selector valve from the main tanks to the… 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.