# NTSB CEN14LA408: Raytheon B36TC, N1069T, Decatur, IL, August 6, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 2014, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Decatur, IL - Coordinates: 39.824443, -88.884445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8244&lon=-88.8844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Continental Motors Inc., FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89814 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA408 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89814/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89814 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA408 ## Probable cause Debris in the fuel system, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not serviced/maintained; cases with it: [Raytheon B36TC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=7150008), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not inspected; cases with it: [Raytheon B36TC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=7150008), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Raytheon B36TC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7150008), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Raytheon B36TC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=7150008), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Raytheon B36TC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=7150008), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Raytheon B36TC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7150008), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Raytheon B36TC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7150008), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Raytheon B36TC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7150008), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on approach to the airport, he switched the fuel selector handle to the left fuel tank. Minutes later, while he was turning the airplane in the traffic pattern, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. He switched on the electric fuel pump, and the engine power was briefly restored. The engine lost power again, and the pilot made a forced landing to a cornfield on the south side of the airfield. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that fibrous debris, which measured 0.2 inch by 0.4 inch, was present in the fuel manifold valve and the filter screen. Similar debris was also found obstructing the inside of the fuel selector screen. Data extracted from the airplane's engine monitor data card revealed that, during cruise flight, the fuel flow was inconsistent, ranging from about 20 to 95 gallons per hour (gph); this was likely due to the debris obstruction. In the final minute of the flight, the fuel flow decreased to 5 gph and then spiked to 75 gph, which is consistent with the fuel pump being switched on, before decreasing again without recovering. The engine rpm tracked with the reductions and increase in fuel flow. Based on the physical evidence and the engine data, it is likely that the debris in the fuel selector screen ultimately blocked the fuel from reaching the engine, which resulted in fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 2014, about 1745 central daylight time, a Raytheon B36TC airplane, N1069T, made an emergency landing after a partial loss of engine power near the Decatur Airport (KDEC), Decatur, Illinois. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by S.R. Aero LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from the Macomb Municipal Airport (KMQB), Macomb, Illinois, at 1658. The pilot reported that he switched the fuel selector handle to the left fuel tank about 10 miles away from the airport. Minutes later while turning on a left base in the traffic pattern, he noticed a partial loss of engine power. He switched on the electric fuel pump and the engine power was briefly restored. The engine lost power again and the pilot made a forced landing into a corn field located on the south side of the airfield. During the landing roll, the airplane exited the corn field, struck a berm, and came to rest upright. The left wing partially separated from the fuselage and the firewall was damaged. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who responded to the scene, reported he retrieved 2 fuel samples from the airplane and both were clear of contaminants. A postaccident examination of the engine and airplane fuel system revealed fibrous debris was present in the fuel manifold valve and the filter screen, which measured 0.2 inches by 0.4 inches. Similar debris was found in the fuel selector screen, which covered most of the inside of the filter. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that on April 12, 2014, an annual maintenance inspection was completed. During the inspection the left outboard fuel tank cell was replaced. The airplane's engine monitor data card was removed and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division for download. The data card contained parameters for the accident flight which included manifold pressure, engine RPM, exhaust gas temperature, cylinder head temperature, fuel flow, oil temperature, and oil pressure. The data card revealed that the fuel flow signal was scattered from when the engine was brought up to takeoff power, with values in cruise flight that ranged from about 20 gallons per hour (GPH) up to about 95 GPH. In the final minute of the flight, the fuel flow decayed to 5 GPH, and spiked up to 75 GPH before it decayed a second time and did not return to previously recorded levels. The engine RPM tracked with the reduction and increase in fuel flow. The engine RPM decreased from about 2,125 RPM to about 1,580 RPM, and then spiked back up to 2,540 RPM for a short time before it decreased and did not return. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1069T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1069T-2014-12-08), registration cancelled 2014-12-08, S/N EA-589, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY B36TC - Registry model: [Raytheon B36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/raytheon-b36tc) (registry code 7150008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: EA-589 - Year built: 1996 - Engines: Continental Motors TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2014, 1,027 hours before - Departed: MQB, MACOMB, IL - Destination: DEC, Decatur, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DEC, Decatur, runway 36, 5,298 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 577 total, 264 in this make and model, 448 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KDEC, 1 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 20140806012039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140806012039A), Aug 6, 2014: Raytheon Aircraft Company B36TC, Decatur, IL, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that the aircraft engine quit while on base leg for approach to landing runway 36. Power was restored for a few seconds when fuel pump was… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 27, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89814. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector’s Statement (item 2, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%E2%80%99s%20Statement%20-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Recorder Specialist Report (item 3, .PDF, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Recorder%20Specialist%20Report-Master.PDF - NTSB Recorder Specialist Report - Attachment 1, Tabular Data (item 4, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Recorder%20Specialist%20Report%20-%20Attachment%201,%20Tabular%20Data-Master.PDF - Airplane Logbook Excerpts (item 5, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Logbook%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of the Fuel Manifold Valve (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20Fuel%20Manifold%20Valve%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of the side of the fuel screen (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20side%20of%20the%20fuel%20screen%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 3 – View Inside Fuel Screen (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20View%20Inside%20Fuel%20Screen%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.