# NTSB ATL95LA097: Beech A36, N48MR, Franklin, TN, May 18, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1995, 20:15 local (May 18, 1995, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Franklin, TN - Coordinates: 35.88047, -86.950141 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8805&lon=-86.9501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3561 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3561/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA097 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE THROTTLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT ALSO FAILED TO FOLLOW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO RESTART 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, descent - normal - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - fuel boost pump selector position - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a descent from 8000 feet to 2500 feet approaching the destination airport, the throttle was left at the idle power setting. Upon reaching the assigned altitude, the pilot advanced the throttle, with no increase in engine RPM. The descent checklist warns the pilot to avoid prolonged engine idle power settings. There was no indication that the pilot checked engine RPM during the descent. The pilot stated that he completed the emergency checklist for the engine out, but, failed to place the fuel boost pump in the high position, in accordance with the emergency procedure. The pilot selected a forced landing area, and established an emergency descent. The airplane touched down in a tail low attitude and collided with the ground. The engine examination failed to disclose a mechanical problem. Approximately 17 gallons of usable fuel were recovered from the fuel system. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1995, at 2015 central daylight time, a Beech A36, N48MR, collided with the ground during a forced landing attempt near Franklin, Tennessee. The business flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with a valid instrument flight clearance. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft received substantial damage. The passenger received serious injuries, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Tampa, Florida, at 1630 hours. The pilot reported that he refueled with 50 gallons of aviation fuel before he departed Tampa. The pilot also stated that the climbout to cruise altitude was completed on the left fuel tank. Upon reaching 8000 feet, the pilot leaned the engine to 15 gallons of fuel flow per hour. After an hour of flight, the pilot switched the selector to the right tank. After two hours and ten minutes of flight, the pilot switched the fuel selector back to the left fuel tank. About 45 miles south of the destination airport, the pilot requested an enroute descent to 4000 feet; air traffic subsequently cleared the flight to 2500 feet. According to the pilot, all aircraft systems operated normally until the pilot attempted to level off at 2500 feet. At this point the pilot advanced the throttle and noticed that the propeller speed surged once, followed by a loss of engine power. According to the pilot, he completed the emergency engine out checklist, but his efforts could not restore full engine power (see attached excerpts from A36 Pilot Operating Handbook-POH). However, during a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that the auxiliary fuel pump was never placed in the high position as prescribed in the emergency procedure for an inflight engine failure. The pilot established an emergency descent and selected a forced landing area. During the touchdown phase of the forced landing, the airplane struck the ground in a tail low attitude. After the airplane came to a stop, the pilot secured the cockpit by turning off all switches and retarding engine control levers. During the examination of the airplane, approximately 5 gallons of usable fuel from the right tank and approximately 12 gallons of usable fuel from the left fuel tank were recovered. Examination of the engine failed to disclose a mechanical problem. According to the aircraft POH, the pilot should avoid prolonged idle throttle setting during descent. The pilot reported that the throttle was retarded throughout the descent from 8000 feet. The pilot also stated that the propeller continued to turn throughout the sequence of events. ## Aircraft - Registration: N48MR (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2229 - Airframe hours: 2323 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bentco Inc,. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1994, 294 hours before - Departed: TPA, TAMPA, FL - Destination: JWN, NASHVILLE, TN - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 369 total, 107 in this make and model, 252 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BNA, 30 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 19950517014569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950517014569A), May 17, 1995: Beech A36, Franklin, TN, Substantial damage. Failed to clear engine in prolonged descent to land at TN81. Unable restore power. Failed use boost. Struck ground. 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.