# NTSB CEN23LA066: Beech A36, N8137P, Harrison, AR, December 19, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 19, 2022, 15:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Harrison, AR - Coordinates: 36.278243, -93.152444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2782&lon=-93.1524&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106479/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106479 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA066 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Beech A36, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported the airplane was topped off with fuel before the flight. He reported that the flight was normal, and he switched fuel tanks when he reached the initial approach fix for the instrument approach. The pilot then canceled his instrument clearance and continued a visual approach to the airport that was normal until he was on short final when the engine stopped producing power. The pilot stated he made one attempt to restore the engine power, which included switching fuel tanks. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field about one mile short of the runway. During the forced landing the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged and a postimpact fire ensued, consuming a majority of the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed the engine had been exposed to the postimpact fire. Valvetrain continuity was established throughout the engine. The magnetos and spark plugs were functionally tested and performed normally. The cylinders were examined with a borescope and showed signs of normal wear. The engine fuel components were examined and appeared clear of debris. The remainder of the airplane’s fuel system could not be tested due to the postimpact fire. All of the metal propeller blades had chordwise scratches observed on the cambered side as well as nicks and gouges on the leading edges indicative of the propeller producing some amount of power at impact. The engine examination did not reveal any malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the engine; therefore, the cause of the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 19, 2022, about 1505 central standard time, a Beech A36 airplane, N8137P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Harrison, Arkansas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported the airplane was topped off with fuel before departure. He reported that the flight was normal, and he switched fuel tanks when he reached the initial approach fix for the RNAV 18 approach at the Boone County Airport (HRO), Harrison, Arkansas. He stated that he canceled his instrument clearance as he had visual contact with the airport and the approach to the airport was normal until he was on short final, when the engine stopped producing power. The pilot stated he made one attempt to restore the engine power, which included switching fuel tanks. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field about one mile short of the runway. During the forced landing the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged and a postimpact fire ensued, consuming a majority of the fuselage. The airplane was transported to a secure facility for further examination. The engine was examined, and it exhibited signs of exposure to the postimpact fire. All 12 spark plugs were removed, bench tested, and all operated normally. The rocker box covers and engine-driven fuel pump were removed. The propeller was rotated by hand and thumb compression, valvetrain continuity, and crankshaft continuity to the accessories were all established. The cylinders were inspected using a borescope and were unremarkable. Both magnetos were removed and operated using a powered drill. The ignition harness suffered thermal damage and could not be tested. The fuel flow divider was inspected and found unremarkable. All the fuel nozzles were clear of debris. The fuel-air mixture unit was examined. All arms remained connected to the unit and the throttle arm moved freely. The fuel screen was removed and clean of debris. All the metal propeller blades had chordwise scratches observed on the cambered side as well as nicks and gouges on the leading edges. Due to the postimpact fire, the airplane’s fuel system could not be thoroughly examined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8137P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8137P), registered now, S/N E-2653, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2653 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 5018 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2022, 12 hours before - Departed: KCMI, Kansas City, MO - Destination: KHRO, Harrison, AR - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: HRO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KHRO, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KHRO 192053Z AUTO 11008KT OVC050 03/M08 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP238 T00331078 56018= ## 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 20221219019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221219019149A), Dec 19, 2022: Beech A36, Harrison, AR, Destroyed. On December 19, 2022, at approximately 4:30 pm, [privacy data omitted]on approach made an emergency landing in a field, approximately ½ mile short of runway… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106479. 7.6 MB in all. - Pilot statement (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 849 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15725197&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA066%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16749463&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Engine examination (item 3, PDF, 9 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16757311&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen23la066%20engine%20examination-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16090202&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%202-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16125274&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N8137P%20Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Logbooks (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16749864&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Logbooks_Redacted-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.