# NTSB ATL83LA143: Beech C24R, N6009A, Waycross, GA, March 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1983, 11:18 local (16:18 UTC)
- Place: Waycross, GA
- Coordinates: 31.209842, -82.349281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2098&lon=-82.3493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6037/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA143

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - erratic (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED STRONG HEADWINDS & DECIDED TO DIVERT TO WAYCROSS, GA. WHILE USING FUEL FROM THE RIGHT TANK, THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE PLT STATED THAT THIS SURPRISED HIM SINCE THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY INSIDE THE RED ARC. HE SWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK, RESTARTED THE ENGINE & CONTINUED TOWARD THE ARPT WHICH WAS IN SIGHT. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN WHEN THE LEFT TANK BECAME EMPTY. REPORTEDLY, THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE WAS ALSO ONLY SLIGHTLY IN THE RED ARC WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RWY, THE PLT TURNED TO LAND IN A FIELD. HE REPORTED THAT A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED WHILE HE WAS CROSSING OVER TELEPHONE LINES IN A RIGHT BANK TO ALIGN WITH THE FIELD. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED WHILE STILL IN A RIGHT BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6009A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6009A-1985-07-02), registration cancelled 1985-07-02, S/N MC-618 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1202
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bob Mcconkey, doing business as Aviation Instruction Inc.
- Registered owner: Norman N. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1983, 43 hours before
- Departed: FLL, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: AMG, ALMA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AYS, Waycross-Ware

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 283 total, 40 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMG, 8 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 19830325009779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830325009779A), Mar 25, 1983: Beech C24R, Waycross, GA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Wing struck the ground during a last minute bank for landing in a field. Cartwheeled.

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.