# NTSB CHI84LA082: Beech BE-33A, N32637, Crystal, MN, January 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1984, 07:22 local (12:22 UTC)
- Place: Crystal, MN
- Coordinates: 45.059173, -93.339225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0592&lon=-93.3392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12523
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12523/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA082

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND A RESIDENCE NEAR THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AFTER EXPERIENCING A TOTAL NON-MECHANICAL LOSS OF POWER RESULTING FROM FUEL STARVATION. THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD ESTIMATED THE FUEL ON BOARD BY A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE TANKS. THIS AIRCRAFT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH FUEL LEVEL TABS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, ABOUT 4 GAL OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK, BUT ONLY ABOUT 2 QTS OF FUEL WERE FOUND IN THE LEFT TANK. THE PLT STATED THAT THEFUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32637](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32637-1990-03-09), registration cancelled 1990-03-09, S/N CE850 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech BE-33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE-850
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David P. Burkel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1983, 19 hours before
- Departed: DTL, DETROIT LAKES, MN
- Destination: MIC, CRYSTAL, MN
- Airport: MIC, Crystal, runway 31, 3,263 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 785 total, 23 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 12 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 19840110062939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840110062939A), Jan 10, 1984: Beech F33A, Crystal, MN, Substantial damage. Over estimated fuel supply. Ran tank dry in the pattern. Struck a residence on forced landing. Fuel in other tank.

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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