# NTSB CEN20TA071: Beech 60, N50JR, Big Spring, TX, January 29, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: January 29, 2020, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Big Spring, TX - Coordinates: 32.059722, -101.58583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0597&lon=-101.5858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100888 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20TA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100888/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100888 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20TA071 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power in both engines due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a landing short of the runway. ## 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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight at a cruise altitude of 10,500 ft mean sea level when the left engine lost all power. He secured the engine and elected to continue to his destination. Shortly thereafter, the right engine lost all power. After selecting an airport for a forced landing, he overflew the runway and entered the pattern. The pilot stated that on short final, after extending the landing gear, "the plane quit flying and the airspeed went to nothing." The airplane landed 200 to 300 yards short of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. During a postaccident examination, only tablespoons of fuel were drained from the left tank. Due to the position of the airplane, the right tank could not be drained; however, when power was applied to the airplane, both fuel quantity gauges indicated empty fuel tanks. Neither fuel tank was breached during the accident, and there was no discoloration present on either of the wings or engine nacelles to indicate a fuel leak; therefore, the loss of engine power is consistent with fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On January 29, 2020, about 1710 central standard time, a Beechcraft BE60 airplane, N50JR, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident about ½ mile southwest of Edwards Lucian Wells Ranch Airport (TX31), Big Spring, Texas. The commercial pilot and sole occupant received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, before departing Abilene Regional Airport (KABI), Abilene, Texas for Odessa Airport (KODO), Odessa, Texas, he asked the fixed base operator (FBO) to add 20 gallons of 100LL aviation gasoline to both fuel tanks. Fuel receipts and statements from FBO personnel confirm that the fuel requested was added to the airplane. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) archived air traffic control (ATC) communications revealed that after departing KABI, the pilot climbed to a cruising altitude of 10,500 ft. At 1656, the pilot advised ATC of left engine issues and indicated they may have to land at Big Spring, Texas (KBPG). At 1659, the pilot confirmed that he intended to land at KBPG. At 1700, the pilot informed ATC that the right engine was running and the left engine was shut down. He stated that he was able to maintain altitude and wished to continue to KODO. About one minute later, the pilot, once again, advised ATC that he would continue to KODO and would not need assistance upon arrival. Shortly thereafter, the pilot requested a heading for KBPG and stated that the right engine had failed. At 1703, ATC asked the pilot if he would make it to the airport, to which he replied that he may not, but was trying. After being offered an alternate airport by ATC, the pilot stated that he preferred KBPG and reported the airport in sight. At 1704, the pilot called ATC and told them the engine was failing and he saw a different airport that he would attempt a landing at. About 1705, the pilot notified ATC that he was over the airport and would try to land. About a minute later, the pilot stated that he was entering the traffic pattern for the runway and was going to be able to make it. About 1707, the pilot stated that he was on left downwind for the airport and was 90% sure he could make the airport. About two minutes later, another airplane on the same frequency told ATC that he was hearing the broadcast of an emergency locator transmitter and heard a transmission, "I'm going to crash." The wreckage was located about 10 minutes later 200 to 300 yards before the threshold of runway 02. The airplane came to rest upright and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot later reported to the NTSB that about 10 miles east of KBPG, both engines lost power due to a "lack of fuel flow." Following the loss of engine power, he looked for a place to land and saw TX31 that appeared to be within gliding distance. He overflew the airport and turned onto final for the north runway. On short final, he lowered the landing gear and"the plane quit flying, the airspeed went to nothing and the plane landed short of the runway." When the FAA aviation safety inspector arrived on scene, they attempted to drain fuel from the fuel tanks. They were able to drain "a couple tablespoons" of fuel from the left tank, but were unable to drain the right tank due to the terrain and the position of the airplane. There was no blue discoloration present on either of the wings or engine nacelles and neither fuel tank was breached. The battery remained connected, and when power was applied to the electrical system, both fuel quantity gauges indicated empty. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50JR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50JR-2022-10-01), registration cancelled 2022-10-01, S/N P-303, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 60 (B60) - Registry model: [Beech B-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-60) (registry code 1153605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P-303 - Year built: 1974 - Engines: Lycoming TIO540 380 hp reciprocating; Lycoming TIO540 380 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2019 - Departed: ABI, Abilene, TX - Destination: ODO, Odessa, TX - Airport: TX31, Edwards Lucian Wells Ranch, runway 2, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 25,000 total, 7 in this make and model, 21,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20200129005169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200129005169A), Jan 29, 2020: Beech B-60, Big Spring, TX, Substantial damage. ? On January 29, 2020, at 1709 CST, a Beechcraft BE-60 bearing registration number N50JR, registered to a private owner, collided with terrain as it attempted… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 28, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100888. 10.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 234 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - Air Traffic Control Communications (item 3, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485573&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Air%20Traffic%20Control%20Communications-Master.PDF - December 2019 Fuel Information (item 4, .PDF, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=December%202019%20Fuel%20Information-Master.PDF - January 2020 Fuel Information (item 5, .PDF, 637 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=January%202020%20Fuel%20Information-Master.PDF - Photos (item 6, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 7, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-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.