CHI06FA152

The airplane struck trees and terrain during an emergency landing following a reported loss of engine power. The airplane was being flown on its first flight after an annual inspection. A cylinder was replaced, a turbocharger leak was fixed, and the right fuel bladder was removed, repaired, and reinstalled during the annual inspection. The fuel from the removed fuel bladder was recovered, stored, and was returned to the bladder when it was reinstalled. The airplane was also serviced with about 67 gallons of 100 low lead aviation gasoline. The fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks were reported to have been checked by observing samples collected from the fuel sumps prior to the flight. The airplane battery was low and external power was used to start the engine for the flight. A replay of radar data showed the airplane was at 5,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL) and was traveling eastward at about 170 knots groundspeed when it checked on with approach. About 1907, the radar data replay showed the airplane descending to 4,800 feet and its groundspeed slowing to 160 knots. The air traffic controller issued the flight a descent clearance to 3,000 feet MSL. The pilot responded back that he had an emergency, had lost engine power, had switched fuel tanks, and needed the closest airfield. The pilot was given a heading of 360 degrees to an airfield. While en route to the airfield, the pilot was asked if his engine was completely out and if he was gliding into the airport. The pilot reported that was correct. About 1910, the air traffic controller pointed out another closer airport. No further response was received from the airplane. The last recorded radar data was at 1910. The radar showed the airplane was about 2 miles from the closer airport at 2,000 feet MSL and traveling northbound at about 80 knots groundspeed. About 1918, the police department received notification of a downed aircraft. The cabin area of the fuselage, left and right inboard fuel tank sections, and upper forward section of the empennage were destroyed by a post impact fire. An on-scene investigation and follow up examinations revealed no-pre-impact anomalies. The airplane's track was reviewed in reference to satellite images of the area. The airplane had over flown open fields prior to impact.

History of flight

On June 8, 2006, about 1915 eastern daylight time, a Beech B36TC, N65EL, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged on impact with trees and terrain during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power near Richmond Field Airport (69G), Gregory, Michigan. A post impact fire occurred. The personal flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was on file and was activated. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO), near Kalamazoo, Michigan, about 1843 and was destined for the Willow Run Airport (YIP), near Ypsilanti, Michigan.

The airplane was being flown on its first flight after an annual inspection. A copy of the annual inspection's endorsement showed that a cylinder was replaced, a turbocharger leak was fixed, and the right fuel bladder was removed, repaired, and reinstalled during the annual inspection. The fuel from the removed fuel bladder was recovered, stored, and was returned to the bladder when it was reinstalled. The airplane was also serviced with about 67 gallons of 100 low lead aviation gasoline. The fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks were reported to have been checked by observing samples collected from the fuel sumps prior to the flight. The airplane battery was low and external power was used to start the engine for the flight.

During the flight, the pilot was given a clearance of direct to YIP at about 1905. A replay of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar data showed the airplane was about 35 miles northwest of YIP at 5,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL) and was traveling eastward at about 170 knots groundspeed when the pilot checked in with Detroit approach. About 1907, the radar data replay showed the airplane descending to 4,800 feet and its groundspeed slowing to 160 knots. The air traffic controller issued the flight a descent clearance to 3,000 feet MSL. The pilot responded back that he had an emergency, had lost engine power, had switched fuel tanks, and needed the closest airfield.

The pilot was given a heading of 360 degrees to Carriage Lane Airport, near Gregory, Michigan. While en route to the airfield, the pilot was asked if his engine was completely out and if he was gliding into the airport. The pilot reported that was correct. About 1910, the air traffic controller pointed out another closer airport. The closer airport was 69G. No further response was received from the airplane. The last recorded radar data was at 1910. The radar showed the airplane was about 2 miles from 69G at 1,700 feet MSL and traveling northbound at about 79 knots groundspeed.

About 1918, the Unadilla Township Police Department received notification of a downed aircraft. The police and fire department responded. Neighbors had attempted to extinguish the fire with water from a creek. The fire department extinguished the ground fire with foam.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. The pilot held a third class medical certificate, which was issued on January 25, 2006. The medical certificate was issued with a limitation for corrective lenses. On the application for that medical certificate the pilot reported that he had accumulated a total time of 950 flight hours.

Aircraft information

N65EL, a 1992-model Beech B36TC, serial number EA-535, was a single-engine, low-wing, six-place airplane, which had retractable tricycle landing gear. The annual inspection on the airplane was completed before this flight and the airplane's total time was 1,204.9 hours. The airplane was powered by a turbocharged, fuel-injected, direct drive, air-cooled, six-cylinder, horizontally-opposed Continental TSIO-520-UB (4) engine, serial number 527174, which was rated at 300 horsepower.

The airplane's pilot operating handbook, in part, stated:

Fuel cells

The 108-gallon fuel system consists of two interconnected bladder-

type fuel cells located in each wing leading edge. Each wing

contains a total of 54 gallons with a usable supply of 51 gallons.

Each wing has a flush-type fuel filler cap covering an anti-siphon

valve. To fill the tank, the filler cap must be removed and the fuel

nozzle inserted into the anti-siphon valve. The tank is full when

the fuel level reaches the spring-loaded door of the anti-siphon

valve. In addition, each wing has a fuel quantity sight gage. The

gage is for partial filling or off-loading of fuel and is to be used

only when it reads within the calibrated area of 25 to 35 gallons.

Each wing fuel tank system is vented to the atmosphere by an

external main vent. If the main vent becomes blocked, pressure

and vacuum relief valves operate to relieve pressure or vacuum

through the flush alternate vent.

The fuel tank system is a closed system. The vent line shutoff valve,

located in a small container outside the main tank, closes to prevent

fuel from draining overboard as it expands due to heating. If fuel

tank pressure exceeds a preset value, the pressure relief valve opens,

allowing fuel to drain overboard through the flush alternate vent

until the tank pressure drops below the relief valve preset level.

Meteorological information

At 1916, the recorded weather at the Livingston County Spencer J. Hardy Airport, near Howell, Michigan, was: Wind 320 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 14 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 25 degrees C; dew point 9 degrees C; altimeter 29.89 inches of mercury.

Airport information

The airport elevation at 69G was 921 feet MSL. 69G was an uncontrolled airport with one runway, 18/36. Runway 18/36 was 2,471 feet long and 100 feet wide. That runway's surface was composed of turf.

Wreckage and impact information

The airplane came to rest upright on about 170 degree magnetic heading near a creek about 2,000 feet from the approach end of runway 36 at 69G. A section of tree trunk and its canopy of leaves from the other side of the creek came to rest on the cabin area of the fuselage. The cabin area of the fuselage, left and right inboard fuel tank sections, and upper forward section of the empennage were destroyed by fire. The leading edge of the outboard section of the right wing exhibited a semicircular depression. The area around the depression was discolored. The tree canopy across the creek that remained upright exhibited fuel blight. The aft section of the engine and the aft section of engine cowl exhibited discoloring and were coated with a substance consistent with soot. Two propeller blades were visible and the third one was impacted in terrain.

An on-scene investigation was conducted. Flight control cables were traced from the flight controls to all flight control surfaces and flight control continuity was established. Engine control cables were traced from the cockpit to the engine and engine control continuity was established. The fuel tank selector was positioned on the left tank. Air pressure was applied and no obstructions were found in the fuel selector valve. The propeller blades exhibited aft bending. The fuel line to the engine driven fuel pump was damaged by fire. The shear shaft on the fuel pump was intact. The fuel pump rotated by hand. The turbocharger impeller and turbine rotated by hand. The wastegate was found in the open position. The engine's top spark plugs were removed and no anomalies were detected. The engine produced a thumb compression at all cylinders when the crankshaft was rotated by hand. The magnetos produced spark at all top sparkplug leads. Oil was found in the engine's oil sump. Liquid was found in the fuel manifold valve. That liquid was t