# NTSB BFO85LA040: Beech E18S, N67A, Fishersville, VA, April 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1985, 06:43 local (11:43 UTC)
- Place: Fishersville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.089427, -78.959022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0894&lon=-78.9590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, missed approach (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WEATHER CONDITIONS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, THE INTENDED DESTINATION, RESULTED IN A MISSED APPROACH AND DIVERSION TO SHENANDOAH VALLEY AIRPORT, WHERE TWO MORE MISSED APPROACHES WERE EXECUTED. ON THE CLIMB OUT FROM THE SECOND MISSED APPROACH, THE LEFT ENGINE FAILED FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS FEATHERED AND THE PLT INFORMED WASHINGTON CENTER OF THE SITUATION AND REQUESTED VECTORS TO WAYNESBORO AIRPORT. WHILE ENROUTE TO WAYNESBORO, THE RIGHT ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND LEVEL FLIGHT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE RIGHT ENGINE FAILED. THE PLT LANDED IN A FIELD, CONTINUED OVER AN EMBANKMENT, AND CAME TO REST ON VIRGINIA ROUTE 608. INITIAL INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED LITTLE OR NO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67A-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N BA-217, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E18S
- Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA 217
- Airframe hours: 10120
- Engines: P&W R985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Mountain Air Cargo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1985
- Departed: RIC, RICHMOND, VA
- Destination: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: W13, Waynesboro

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,550 total, 362 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 125 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHO, 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 19850425075299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850425075299A), Apr 25, 1985: Beech E18S, Waynesboro, VA, Substantial damage. After diverting for 2 more missed approaches fuel was exhausted on climbout. Landed on rough terrain.

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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