# NTSB CEN17LA003: Beech C23, N9704L, Taylor, TX, October 1, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 2016, 09:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Taylor, TX - Coordinates: 30.572778, -97.443054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5728&lon=-97.4431&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA San Antonio FSDO, Textron Aviation, Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 94128 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94128/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94128 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA003 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of debris obstructing the fuel strainer screen and corrosion of the fuel strainer bowl. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech C23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Beech C23, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech C23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech C23, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Beech C23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a personal cross-country flight, the airplane's engine lost power when the airplane was 1/2 mile from the destination airport. The airline transport pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane struck trees and severed both wings. The fuselage impacted the ground, and the airplane caught fire. Although many of the engine accessories were damaged or destroyed by the postcrash fire, a postaccident examination of the engine revealed considerable debris in the fuel strainer screen, and the fuel strainer bowl was extensively corroded. Thus, it is likely that the debris in the fuel strainer stopped adequate flow of fuel to the engine, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 2016, about 0925 central daylight time, a Beech C23 airplane, N9704L, was destroyed after impacting trees and terrain during final approach to Taylor Municipal Airport (T74), Taylor, Texas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Hybird, Inc., Livingston, Texas, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane departed McCampbell-Porter Airport (KTFP), Ingleside, Texas, and was destined for T74.The pilot told Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that the engine lost power when the airplane was ½-mile from runway 35 and a forced landing ensued. During the forced landing, the airplane struck trees and both wings were separated at the wing roots. The fuselage impacted the ground and came to rest upright about 20 feet from the trees that were struck. The airplane caught fire. The pilot removed the passenger, exited the airplane, and walked to a nearby rural residence. FAA inspectors examined the wreckage at the accident site on October 4, 2016. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The wreckage was retained for further examination. On October 14, 2016, the engine and airplane were examined at Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas. An examination of the engine showed that many of the engine accessories were damaged or destroyed by the post-crash fire. The crankshaft was hand-rotated at the flange. Thumb suction and compression were obtained on all but the number 2 cylinder. As the engine was rotated through 300°, it locked and could not be turned. The accessory housing and propeller were removed. The crankshaft was again rotated by hand and rotated through a full 360° with no obstruction. Further examination revealed the obstruction was caused by damage to the Bendix starter that interfered with the starter ring gear support. Valve train and crankshaft continuity was verified, and the accessory gears were observed rotating. All cylinders were examined with no defects noted. The engine's top spark plugs had been removed at the accident site and only three were present during the examination. Neither could be associated with any specific cylinder. The bottom spark plugs were observed to be Normal-Worn when compared to the Champion Check-A-Plug card. The bottom spark plugs exhibited signatures consistent with normal combustion. The engine was overhauled on January 29, 1991. No case change was recorded. During the examination, considerable debris was noted in the fuel strainer screen, and the fuel strainer bowl was extensively corroded. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9704L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9704L-2018-08-31), registration cancelled 2018-08-31, S/N M-1362, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C23 - Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-1362 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 3115 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2015, 15 hours before - Departed: TFP, Ingleside, TX - Destination: T74, Taylor, TX - Airport: T74, Taylor Municipal, runway 35, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: serious; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KGTU, 14 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 20161001021739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161001021739A), Oct 1, 2016: Beech C23, Taylor, TX, Destroyed. During a steep descent to a straight in approach and landing at Taylor , T74, the engine stopped running. The pilot discovered this when the approach was… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94128. 11.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (received from aircraft owner) (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(received%20from%20aircraft%20owner)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Record of Examination (item 3, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Examination-Master.PDF - Maps (item 4, .PDF, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps-Master.PDF - Weather Summary (item 5, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-Master.PDF - Summary of FAA Medical Certificate Requirements - 49 CFR 61.23 (B)(9) (item 6, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20FAA%20Medical%20Certificate%20Requirements%20-%2049%20CFR%2061.23%20(B)(9)-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 7, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.