# NTSB CEN10CA568: Beech D17S, N17GB, Fort Worth, TX, September 21, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 20, 2010, 20:57 local (Sep 21, 2010, 01:57 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.93111, -97.411666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9311&lon=-97.4117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 77423 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA568 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77423/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77423 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA568 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported to Federal Aviation Administration inspectors that, while on final approach, the engine experienced a total loss of power. He configured the airplane for a forced landing and touched down on rough terrain. As a result of the impact sequence both the upper and lower left wings were crushed. The pilot stated the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative The pilot told FAA inspectors that he was returning from the Reno Air Races and had stopped in Flagstaff, Arizona, to refuel. On final approach to Hicks Airfield, the engine lost power, and the pilot made a forced landing on rough terrain. Both upper and lower left wings were crushed. The pilot said that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. On several occasions, the pilot was requested to complete and return NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report. He failed to comply. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17GB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17GB), registered now, S/N 4818, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH D17S - Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (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: 4818 - Airframe hours: 4818 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-4 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Spencer Hodge - Registered owner: Spencer Hodge - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2010, 20 hours before - Departed: FLG, Flagstaff, AZ - Destination: T67, Fort Worth, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: T67, Hicks Airfield, runway 14, 3,740 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 153 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: FTW ## 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 20100920054989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100920054989A), Sep 20, 2010: Beech D17S, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot planned flight per manufactures charts for fuel burn. Flight should have landed with 30 minutes reserve. For unknown reason, fuel burn was more than… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 24, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77423. 95 KB in all. - Weather Reports and Records (item 1, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Memo of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342615&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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.