# NTSB CEN13LA110: Beech 95-B55 (T42A), N30WC, Las Cruces, NM, December 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 21, 2012, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.254165, -106.876663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2542&lon=-106.8767&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 85873 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85873/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85873 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA110 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly manage the airplane's fuel, which resulted in engine failure due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); 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) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: 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) - [Approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=1152706), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said he added 31 gallons of fuel (for a total 0f 70 gallons) prior to departure. The fuel gauges indicated the main tanks were one-half to three-quarters full, with the remainder in the auxiliary tanks. The fuel selectors were on the main tanks. After a short 10-minute flight, the pilot executed an ILS approach in VMC. Ten miles from the runway threshold, the right engine started surging. Fuel flow fluctuated between 28 gph and 2 gph. He advanced the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls and turned on the fuel boost pumps. The airplane yawed and he identified the right engine as having lost power. He feathered the propeller and secured the engine. Shortly thereafter, the left engine lost power. The airplane impacted terrain, shearing off the left wing. The right engine was partially separated from the right wing. An FAA inspector examined the wreckage and said the right propeller was not feathered and both fuel selectors were in the auxiliary tank position. The left engine throttle, propeller, and mixture controls were full forward. The right engine throttle and propeller control were only slightly retarded, and the mixture control was in the IDLE CUTOFF position. Both fuel selectors were positioned on the auxiliary tanks, but the fuel gauge selector switch was on the main tanks. ## Factual narrative On December 21, 2012, at 1650 mountain standard time, a Beech 95-B55, N30WC, impacted terrain 2 miles southeast of runway 30 while on landing approach to Las Cruces International Airport (KLRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Santa Teresa (5T6), New Mexico, approximately 1640. According to the pilot's accident report, he added 31 gallons of fuel (for a total of 70 gallons) prior to departing K5T6. The fuel gauges indicated the main tanks were one-half to three-quarters full, with the remainder in the auxiliary tanks. The fuel selectors were on the main tanks. He executed the ILS (instrument landing system) to runway 30, in visual meteorological conditions, and was 10 miles from the runway threshold when the right engine started surging. Fuel flow fluctuated between 28 gph (gallons per hour) to 2 gph. He advanced the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls and turned on the fuel boost pumps. He said the airplane yawed 45 to 70 degrees left and right, and he identified the right engine as having lost power. He feathered the propeller and secured the engine. Shortly thereafter, the left engine lost power. The airplane impacted terrain, shearing off the left wing. The right engine was partially separated from the right wing. In a hospital interview, the pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he had shut down the right engine and he described the procedure he used. The inspector told the pilot that the right propeller had not been feathered and that both fuel selectors were in the auxiliary tank position. Photographs taken by the inspector showed the left engine throttle, propeller, and mixture controls were full forward. The right engine throttle and propeller control were only slightly retarded, and the mixture control was in the IDLE CUTOFF position. Both fuel selectors were positioned on the auxiliary tanks, but the fuel gauge selector switch was on the main tanks. In his written statement, the inspector estimated there should have had about 7 gallons in each auxiliary tank, and he computed this to be the fuel remaining after a flight from Santa Teresa to the accident site. The inspector also noted a placard affixed on the instrument panel, warning: DO NOT TAKE OFF IF FUEL QUANTITY GAGE INDICATES IN YELLOW ARC OR WITH LESS THAN 13 GALLONS IN EACH MAIN TANK. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30WC-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N TC-628, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55 (T42A) - 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-628 - Airframe hours: 11136 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sean M. Tommervik - Registered owner: Sean M. Tommervik - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 2012, 77 hours before - Departed: 5T6, Santa Teresa, TX - Destination: KLRU, Las Cruces, NM - Airport: KLRU, Las Cruces International, runway 30, 7,506 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 7, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 935 total, 143 in this make and model, 847 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KLRU ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 21, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85873. 3.8 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 813 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - E-Mail from FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E-Mail%20from%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - N30WC in foreground, Las Cruces International Airport (KLRU) in background. (item 3, .PDF, 431 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386865&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20N30WC%20in%20foreground,%20Las%20Cruces%20International%20Airport%20(KLRU)%20in%20background.-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right propeller. (item 4, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386870&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20propeller.-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Left propeller. (item 5, .PDF, 459 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386871&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Left%20propeller.-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Propeller, throttle, mixture controls. (item 6, .PDF, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386872&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Propeller,%20throttle,%20mixture%20controls.-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - Fuel selector. (item 7, .PDF, 422 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Fuel%20selector.-Master.PDF - Photo 6 - Fuel gauge and boost pump selector switches. (item 8, .PDF, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20-%20Fuel%20gauge%20and%20boost%20pump%20selector%20switches.-Master.PDF - Photo 7 - Rudder and trim tab deflection. (item 9, .PDF, 311 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386877&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%20-%20Rudder%20and%20trim%20tab%20deflection.-Master.PDF - Photo 8 - Warning Placard. (item 10, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208%20-%20Warning%20Placard.-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.