# NTSB CHI08CA173: Beech A23A, N701DW, Sheboygan, WI, June 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2008, 13:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Sheboygan, WI - Coordinates: 43.769165, -87.852218 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7692&lon=-87.8522&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68577/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA173 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management that led to fuel starvation and the loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the drainage ditch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel controlling system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/cases.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Beech A23A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A23A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech A23A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed with 30 gallons of fuel onboard. He estimated that the right and left fuel tanks contained 20 gallons and 10 gallons, respectively. He reported that the accident flight was 2 hours 20 minutes in duration. While on final approach the engine lost power and the airplane impacted a 6 foot wide drainage ditch. The airplane sustained damage to the left wing, the lower fuselage structure, and the nose and left landing gear. Post accident inspection of the airplane showed that the right tank was empty and there was fuel present in the left tank. The pilot reported that he planned on a fuel burn rate of 8-1/2 gallons per hour. Using that fuel burn, the calculated fuel consumption for the accident flight was 19.8 gallons. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had switched fuel tanks before the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he departed with 30 gallons of fuel onboard. He estimated that the right and left fuel tanks contained 20 gallons and 10 gallons, respectively. The pilot reported that the accident flight was 2 hours 20 minutes in duration. While on final approach the engine lost power and the airplane impacted a 6 foot wide drainage ditch. The airplane sustained damage to the left wing, the lower fuselage structure, and the nose and left landing gear. Post accident inspection of the airplane showed that the right tank was empty and there was fuel present in the left tank. The pilot reported that he planned on a fuel burn rate of 8-1/2 gallons per hour. Using that fuel burn, the calculated fuel consumption for the accident flight was 19.8 gallons. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had switched fuel tanks before the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N701DW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N701DW-2017-03-06), registration cancelled 2017-03-06, S/N M-977, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A23A - Registry model: [Beech A23A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23a) (registry code 1151208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-977 - Airframe hours: 5065 - Engines: Teledyne Continental IO-346-A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2006 - Departed: SBM, Sheboygan, WI - Destination: SBM, Sheboygan, WI - Airport: SBM, Sheboygan County Memorial, runway 31, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,077 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,077 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: SBM ## 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 20080629840769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080629840769A), Jun 29, 2008: Beech A23A, Sheboygan, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) While on final approach to land on runway 31 at sbm the aircraft engine lost power and stopped. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and… 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.