# NTSB CHI88FA024: Beech TC-45J, N10AS, St Clair Shores, MI, November 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1987, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: St Clair Shores, MI
- Coordinates: 42.459346, -82.899719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4593&lon=-82.8997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA024

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect
  - inattentive, pilot in command
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - berm
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear - collapsed

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE TO HOME BASE AFTER DELIVERY OF REVENUE CARGO, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN BOTH ENGINES DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND SET THE AIRCRAFT UP FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A GRASSY FIELD ON THE EDGE OF A LAKE. THE AIRCRAFT INITIALLY IMPACTED A TREE AND THE ROCKY BERM OF THE SHORELINE. THE CONTACT WITH THE BERM CAUSED THE LANDING GEAR TO BREAK OFF, THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED AROUND AND SKIDDED BACKWARDS BEFORE COMING TO A REST ABOUT 150 FEET FROM THE LAKESHORE. POST ACC INVEST REVEALED LESS THAN 2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN EACH WING TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10AS-1996-01-29), registration cancelled 1996-01-29, S/N 39904 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH TC-45J
- Registry model: [Beech TC-45J](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-tc-45j) (registry code 1151022) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 39904
- Airframe hours: 15800
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-1-101 575 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Connie Kalitta Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 9, 1987, 32 hours before
- Departed: EWR, NEWARK, NJ
- Destination: DET, DETROIT, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,080 total, 80 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DTW, 7 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 19871119066739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871119066739A), Nov 19, 1987: Beech TC45J, St Clair Shores, MI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Set up for landing in an open field. Came in short, hit a rocky bank and a tree.

## Other investigations on N10AS (2)

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.

- [NTSB NYC75AN081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75AN081), Jan 20, 1975: Volpar TC45J (N10AS), Norwood, MA, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI73AC056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73AC056), Dec 12, 1972: Hamilton TC-45J (N10AS), Cleveland, OH, substantial damage

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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