# NTSB ATL93FA031: Beech 95-B55B, N7479N, Calera, AL, December 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1992, 19:01 local (Dec 5, 1992, 01:01 UTC)
- Place: Calera, AL
- Coordinates: 33.100753, -86.750076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1008&lon=-86.7501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8680
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8680/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT WITH THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR HANDLES IMPROPERLY POSITIONED, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND ENGINE STOPPAGE. FACTORS WERE THE CLOUDY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS, AND THE STEEP, HILLY TERRAIN CONDITIONS (A QUARRY) AT THE CRASH SITE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - all engines
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND 5 PASSENGERS WERE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. NIGHT, IMC PREVAILED. SHORTLY AFTER THE FLIGHT BEGAN A DESCENT FOR LANDING, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD AN 'ENGINE OUT'. HE THEN FOLLOWED UP BY SAYING THAT BOTH ENGINES WERE 'CUTTING OUT'. WHILE RECEIVING VECTORS TO A CLOSER AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF A DEEP ROCK QUARRY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES AND FIRE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVES WAS IN THE 'AUX' TANK POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT CHECKLIST STATES THAT THE AUXILIARY TANKS ARE TO BE USED IN LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY. A TEARDOWN AND INSPECTION OF THE ENGINES AND COMPONENTS DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7479N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7479N-1994-05-25), registration cancelled 1994-05-25, S/N TC1226 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55B
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-1226
- Airframe hours: 3014
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gene Stewart, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gene Stewart, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 30, 1992, 63 hours before
- Departed: GNV, GAINESVILLE, FL
- Destination: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 842 total, 800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 27 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 19921204049209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921204049209A), Dec 4, 1992: Beech 95B55B, Calera, AL, Destroyed, 6 fatal. Lost both engines near destination, no engine defects. Indicates fuel problem. IFR needed fuel plus alternate fuel.

## Other investigations on N7479N (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 MIA75FLA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75FLA06), Jul 31, 1974: Beech B55 (N7479N), Panama City, FL, substantial damage

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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