# NTSB ATL85LA016: Beech A-36, N6316C, Commerce, GA, October 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1984, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Commerce, GA
- Coordinates: 34.200664, -83.4608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2007&lon=-83.4608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - loose (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,cap - siphoning (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, pilot in command
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER CLIMBING TO 8,000 FT THE PLT NOTICED FUEL SIPHONING OUT OF THE LEFT FUEL TANK CAP. FOR THE NEXT HOUR & 20 MIN THE FLT OPERATED ON THE LEFT TANK IN AN EFFORT TO USE FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK BEFORE IT WAS SIPHONED OUT. APRX 6 MILES NORTH OF ATHENS, GA, THE ENG LOST POWER AND THE PLT REQUESTED CLEARANCE FROM ARTCC FOR AN EMERG LANDING AT ATHENS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, ADJUSTING THE MIXTURE CAUSED THE ENG TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. ARTCC WAS ADVISED AND THE PLT CONTINUED EN ROUTE. ABOUT 24 MILES FURTHER NORTH THE ENG AGAIN LOST POWER. THE INTENTIONAL GEAR-UP LANDING WAS MADE IN AN UNIMPROVED PASTURE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE LEFT CAP. NO FUEL REMAINED IN THE LEFT TANK. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND DURING A SUCCESSFUL TEST RUN OF THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6316C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A-36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-2023
- Airframe hours: 992
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hangar One, Inc.
- Registered owner: D & J Aero Rent Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 6, 1984, 125 hours before
- Departed: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Destination: TYS, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 807 total, 510 in this make and model, 612 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 20 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 19841020057499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841020057499A), Oct 20, 1984: Beech A36, Commerce, GA, Substantial damage. Ran left tank dry, leak around fuel cap. Switched tank. Restarted, quit again. Engine test run, no discrepancy.

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.

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