# NTSB CEN12CA165: Beech 95-B55, N4624A, Lancaster, WI, February 17, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 17, 2012, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, WI - Coordinates: 42.796112, -90.680274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7961&lon=-90.6803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-AGL-MKE - NTSB case key (mKey): 82944 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82944/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82944 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA165 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, 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. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/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 base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot, who did not hold a multi-engine airplane rating, departed in the multi-engine airplane to fly to another airport to purchase fuel. About 7 miles from the destination airport, the right engine stopped producing power. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the crossfeed position and was able to regain power on the right engine. However, when the airplane was about 2.5 miles from the destination airport, both engines stopped producing power. The pilot feathered the propellers and made an off-airport landing on a road. The airplane traveled into a ditch next to the road, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and aft fuselage. A postaccident examination revealed no visible fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative The private pilot, who did not hold a multi-engine rating, took off to fly to another airport to purchase fuel. About 7 miles from the destination airport, the right engine stopped producing power. The pilot switched the fuel selector to crossfeed and was able to regain power on the right engine. According to the pilot, both engines subsequently lost power when the airplane was about 2 1/2 miles from the destination airport. The pilot feathered the propellers and made an off airport landing on a road. The airplane traveled into a ditch next to the road resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and aft fuselage. A postaccident examination revealed no visible fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4624A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4624A-2017-10-27), registration cancelled 2017-10-27, S/N TC-1341, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-1341 - Engines: Continental IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dangberg Dennis - Registered owner: Dangberg Dennis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2012, 2 hours before - Departed: FEP, Freeport, IL - Destination: 73C, Lancaster, WI - Airport: 73C, Lancaster Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 35 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: DBQ, 28 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 20120217002229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120217002229A), Feb 17, 2012: Beech 95-B55 (T42A), Lancaster, WI, Substantial damage. On February 17, 2012 at 1320 CDT , the pilot of a Beechcraft 95-B55 baron landed .5 miles north of runway 18, Lancaster Municipal Airport Lancaster wisiconsin… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82944. 573 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 520 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%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.