# NTSB ATL97LA142: Beech 33, N331DP, Winston-Salem, NC, September 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 27, 1997, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Winston-Salem, NC - Coordinates: 36.140598, -80.319107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1406&lon=-80.3191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3908 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3908/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA142 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - utility pole ## Analysis The pilot stated that before takeoff, he checked the aircraft fuel supply and elected not to refuel. He reported that during examination of the fuel supply, the fuel supply in the left wing tank was two inches below the filler cap, and the right fuel gauge showed 1/4 tank. The pilot thought he had ample fuel for the 269 mile flight to the destination airport. Before reaching his distination, the pilot advised an air traffic controller that he was experiencing engine problems and requested assistance to the nearest airport. Moments later, he reported that the engine was running again, and he wanted to continue the flight to the destination airport. About five miles from the airport, the pilot reported that the engine had quit again. Subsequently, during a forced landing, the airplane collided with a utility pole and lines. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem or system malfunction. There was no fuel recovered from the aircraft fuel system during field examination of the airframe. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 1997, at 1710 eastern daylight time, a Beech 33, N331DP, collided with a utility pole while attempting an emergency landing to a field eight miles southwest of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The pilot operated the personal flight under the provisions of Title 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 private pilot and the three passengers were not injured. The flight departed Jasper, Georgia, at 1455. The pilot stated that before departing Jasper he checked the aircraft fuel supply and elected not to refuel. During the examination of the fuel supply, he reported that the fuel supply in the left wing tank was two inches below the filler cap. The right fuel gauge showed 1/4 tank. The pilot thought he had ample fuel for the 269 mile fight back to Winston Salem. At 1640, the pilot advised Greensboro Tower that he was experiencing engine problems and requested assistance to the nearest airport. Moments later, the pilot told the tower controller that the engine was running again, and he wanted to continue the flight to Winston-Salem. At approximately 1647, the pilot reported that the engine had quit again; the airplane collided with the utility pole and lines during the forced landing. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem or system malfunction. There was no fuel recovered from the aircraft fuel system during the field examination of the airframe. The pilot stated that more fuel should have been put into the right tank before he departed. ## Aircraft - Registration: N331DP (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech 33 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD-945 - Airframe hours: 5600 - Engines: Continental IO-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alan Land - Registered owner: Donna Price - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: JZP, JASPER, GA - Destination: INT - Airport: INT, Smith Reynold, runway 3, 3,938 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 255 total, 1 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: INT, 5 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 19970927029109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970927029109A), Sep 27, 1997: Beech 35C33, Winston Salem, NC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel enroute. Collided with a utility pole during forced landing gross weglegence and poor judgement. (-23) aircraft made emergency landing in field… 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.