# NTSB CHI84LA072: Beech BE-77, N3706W, Covington, IN, December 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1983, 19:56 local (Dec 20, 1983, 01:56 UTC)
- Place: Covington, IN
- Coordinates: 40.129177, -87.389747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1292&lon=-87.3897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA072

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT AFTER LESS THAN AN HOUR OF FLIGHT TIME FOLLOWING DEPARTURE. THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED DURING THE LANDING. AFTER THE ACCIDENT AN FAA MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR OPENED BOTH MAIN TANK DRAINS AND DRAINED ONLY 1/3 OF A PINT OF FUEL FROM BOTH TANKS. THE FUEL LINES AND CARBURETOR CONTAINED NO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3706W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3706W), registered now, S/N WA-178, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-77
- Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: WA-178
- Airframe hours: 995
- Engines: LYCOMING D-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nathan R. Carlson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1983, 90 hours before
- Departed: C16, URBANA, IL
- Destination: 418, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,179 total, 63 in this make and model, 1,034 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -9 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 30 nm away

## 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 19831219064799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831219064799A), Dec 19, 1983: Beech 77, Covington, IN, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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.

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