# NTSB ATL95LA027: Aero Commander 500S, N9171N, Millington, TN, December 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1994, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Millington, TN
- Coordinates: 35.329116, -89.880393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3291&lon=-89.8804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT, IN THAT HE DID NOT ENSURE THAT THERE WAS ADEQUATE FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS TO FLY THE AIRPLANE TO ANOTHER AIRPORT FOR A PERIODIC SPAR INSPECTION, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE DRAINING THE FUEL TANKS. HE ESTIMATED THAT THERE WERE 70 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANKS, A VISUAL INSPECTION WAS NOT POSSIBLE. DURING THE APPROACH TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE RIGHT ENGINE QUIT, FOLLOWED BY THE LEFT ENGINE. THE AIRPLANE WAS FORCE LANDED IN A FLOOD PLAIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Factual narrative

On December 11, 1994, at 1130 central standard time, an Aero Commander 500S, N9171N, made an emergency landing in the Loosahatchie River Flood Plain after the pilot experienced a loss of engine power on both engines near Millington, Tennessee. The flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Ripley, Mississippi, at 1100.

According to the pilot, the flight departed with an estimated 70 gallons of aviation fuel in the fuel system. He also stated that due to the design characteristics of the fuel system, a visual inspection of fuel quantity was not possible. The aircraft was being flown to Millington for a periodic spar inspection, which requires defueling of the wing fuel tanks. As the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the Charles Baker Airport, the right engine quit. The pilot turned away from the airport and selected another field. While maneuvering for the emergency landing, the left engine quit; an emergency landing was made to the wet area of the flood plain.

The engines were removed from the accident site by an airframe and powerplant mechanic. He reported that there was no significant amount of fuel in the aircraft fuel system, in the engine, or in the fuel lines to the engine.

## 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 - downwind
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9171N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9171N-1995-02-13), registration cancelled 1995-02-13, S/N 3119 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 500S
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 500 S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500-s) (registry code 0141107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3119
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E1B5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tapp, Butch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 25M, RIPLEY, MS
- Destination: 2M8, TN
- Airport: 2M8, Charles W. Baker, runway 36, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 695 total, 120 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 18 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 19941211047149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941211047149A), Dec 11, 1994: Gulstm 500S, Millington, TN, Substantial damage. Was to fly to another airport for spar inspection. Estimated fuel enough for flight. Ran out of fuel on approach.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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