# NTSB CEN22LA189: Raytheon A36, N47JB, Blanket, TX, April 30, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 30, 2022, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Blanket, TX · Remote flat grass field. - Coordinates: 31.860024, -98.780039 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8600&lon=-98.7800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Textron Aviation, FAA Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105034/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105034 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA189 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly manage fuel while enroute, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a subsequent forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Raytheon A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed with “just over half a tank of fuel in each tank,” which matched the indications on the fuel gauges. He reported that he decided not to “top off” the fuel tanks for the flight of about one hour and twenty-minutes as he had about 40 gallons of fuel on board. The pilot reported that the takeoff and en route portions of the flight were normal. As the airplane descended to 6,000 ft above mean seal level, and with the destination airport in sight, the engine lost power. The pilot “immediately pulled the yoke back to best glide,” selected a grass field for the landing, and began the engine out checklist. The pilot reported that he switched fuel tanks during the engine out procedure. After he completed the checklist twice, with no success at restarting the engine, he maneuvered the airplane and performed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the right wing sustained substantial damage. During a postaccident examination, no fuel was found in the right fuel tank and about 5.5 gallons of fuel was found in the left fuel tank (per the airframe manufacturer, 3 gallons in each fuel tank is classified as unusable). Both fuel tanks were found intact, along with the airframe and engine fuel lines. Both fuel tank caps appeared normal and were found installed properly. There was no evidence of a fuel leak or spillage on the airframe or at the accident site. There were no odors of fuel at the accident site. The fuel tank selector was found at the right fuel tank position. The fuel line to the fuel pressure regulator and the fuel injection distribution manifold was opened and there was no visible fuel found in the line. The investigation could not determine the amount of fuel onboard before the accident flight. Based on the available evidence, it is likely the engine lost power due to the low level of fuel available in the right fuel tank due to the pilot’s improper fuel management. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 2022, about 1300 central daylight time, a Raytheon Aircraft Company A36 airplane, N47JB, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Blanket, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained no injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the cross-country flight departed from the Majors Airport (GVT), Greenville, Texas, and was enroute to the Brownwood Regional Airport (BWD), Brownwood, Texas, via a navigational aid in Cedar Creek, Texas. During the preflight, the pilot “visibly confirmed” that there was “just over half a tank of fuel in each tank.” He reported that this amount matched the indications on the fuel gauges, which equated to 40 gallons of fuel. He reported that he decided not to “top off” the fuel tanks for the approximate one hour and twenty-minute flight. The pilot utilized the ForeFlight app for his preflight planning and the system calculated that the engine would consume about 22 gallons total for the flight. The pilot reported that the run up, enroute portion, and the descent from cruise altitude at 8,000 ft mean sea level (msl), were normal. The pilot was not able to recall what fuel tank was selected for the taxi, run up, climb out, and enroute portion of the flight. As the airplane descended to 6,000 ft msl, he cancelled the instrument flight rules clearance. When the pilot had the destination airport in sight, the engine lost power. The pilot “immediately pulled the yoke back to best glide,” selected a grass field for the landing, and began the engine out checklist. The pilot reported that he switched fuel tanks during the engine out procedure. After he completed the checklist twice, with no success at restarting the engine, he maneuvered the airplane and performed a forced landing to the field. During the forced landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the right wing sustained substantial damage. The airplane came to rest upright, and the two occupants were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. During a postaccident examination, no fuel was found in the right fuel tank and about 5.5 gallons of fuel was found in the left fuel tank (per the airframe manufacturer, 3 gallons in each fuel tank is classified as unusable). Both fuel tanks were found intact, along with the airframe and engine fuel lines. Both fuel tank caps appeared normal and were found installed properly. There was no evidence of a fuel leak or spillage on the airframe or at the accident site. There were no odors of fuel at the accident site. The fuel tank selector was found at the right fuel tank position. The fuel line to the fuel pressure regulator and the fuel injection distribution manifold was opened and there was no visible fuel found in the line. An examination of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed no evidence of uncorrected mechanical discrepancies with the airframe and engine. The airplane did not have a fueltotalizer system or an engine monitoring system onboard, nor was it required to have either system. The pilot did not have any fueling records or receipts from the last time the airplane received fuel, as the pilot received fuel from a family member, and he fueled the airplane himself. Using the information provided by the pilot, postaccident flight planning showed the engine would have consumed 21.9 gallons total for the flight. If the pilot utilized the maximum cruise speed, the engine would have consumed 22.9 gallons total for the flight. These totals do not include the required fuel reserve amounts. The Raytheon Aircraft Company A36 Pilot’s Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual discusses fuel required for flight and states in part: Plan for an ample margin of fuel for any flight. The Textron Aviation Pilot Safety and Warning Supplements discusses fuel management and states in part: It is always the responsibility of the pilot-in-command to ensure sufficient fuel is available for the planned flight. A pilot should not begin a flight without determining the fuel required and verifying its presence onboard. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47JB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47JB), registered now, S/N E3207, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY A36 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Raytheon A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/raytheon-a36) (registry code 7150001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E3207 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 1630 - Engines: Continental Motors IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2021 - Departed: GVT, Greenville, TX - Destination: BWD, Brownwood, TX - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 446 total, 283 in this make and model, 446 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KBWD, 8 nm away - METAR: KBWD 301755Z AUTO 36011G14KT 340V070 9SM CLR 27/01 A2995 RMK AO1 ## 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 20220430005909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220430005909A), Apr 30, 2022: Raytheon Aircraft Company A36, Blanket, TX, Substantial damage. On April 30, 2022, at 1500 CDT, a Beech bonanza A36 aircraft bearing registration number N47JB, registered to a private individual, made an emergency landing… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105034. 12.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13943498&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13944093&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Various statements (item 3, PDF, 12 pages, 824 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13943920&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Various%20Statements%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight planning and airplane information (item 4, PDF, 15 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13943868&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Flight%20Planning%20and%20Airplane%20Information-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 5, PDF, 9 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13944006&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB party member form - Textron aviation (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 240 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13943739&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20Member%20Form%20Redacted-Rel.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.