# NTSB ATL96LA007: Beech 23, N2340J, Newnan, GA, October 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 1995, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC) - Place: Newnan, GA - Coordinates: 33.369354, -84.780647 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3694&lon=-84.7806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3667 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3667/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA007 ## Probable cause a loose fuel line fitting, which resulted in a fuel leak and premature emptying of the left fuel tank; failure of the pilot to follow the checklist (select the fullest fuel tank for landing); fuel starvation; and subsequent Loss of engine power, while on final approach to land. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause) - fluid,fuel - leak (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis On final approach to runway 32, the airplane had a complete loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a forced landing, and on the landing roll, the left wing struck a tree. The pilot stated that the preflight, engine run up, and the 30 minute flight had been uneventful until the loss of power. Initial examination of the airplane revealed the fuel tank selector was in the left tank position, and the left tank was empty. The right fuel tank was full. The pilot reported having 60 gallons of fuel before departure. No spilled fuel was noted at the wreckage site. The before landing checklist of a similar aircraft (BE-A23) showed that the fullest tank should have been selected. Further examination revealed a disconnected (loose) B-nut where the fuel line was connected to the carburetor. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 1995, about 1805 eastern daylight, a Beech 23, N2340J, collided with a tree during a forced landing, due to a complete loss of engine power, near Newnan, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Auburn, Alabama, about 1735. An inspector from the Georgia Flight Standards District Office examined the airplane. He discovered that the throttle was fully forward; the carburetor heat was on; and the left fuel tank was selected. No fuel was observed in the left fuel tank, while the right tank was full. The pilot reported that he had fueled prior to departing Auburn. According to the inspector, 32 gallons of fuel were added to the airplane at Auburn. The inspector also reported that the pilot's father stated that when they were able to move the airplane, and remove the engine cowling, they observed that the fuel line "B-nut" at the carburetor was disconnected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2340J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2340J-1996-03-25), registration cancelled 1996-03-25, S/N M289 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 23 - Registry model: [Beech 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-23) (registry code 1151202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-289 - Airframe hours: 1784 - Engines: Lycoming O320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Eric M. Bright - Registered owner: Michael W. Bright - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1995, 34 hours before - Departed: AUO, AUBURN, AL - Destination: CCO - Airport: CC0, Newnan Coweta County, runway 32, 4,007 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 30 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 17 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ATL, 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 19951020033639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951020033639A), Oct 20, 1995: Beech 23BEECH, Newnan, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Hit tree short of runway. Fuel selector on empty tank. Fuel line disconnected at carburetor. ## Other investigations on N2340J (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 UNK64X2787](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2787), Jul 12, 1964: Beechcraft M23 (N2340J), Vidal, CA, 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. --- 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.