# NTSB CHI90FA050: Beech 60, N478AD, Erie, PA, December 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1989, 12:01 local (17:01 UTC)
- Place: Erie, PA
- Coordinates: 42.17078, -79.989601 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1708&lon=-79.9896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA050

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL ON BOARD FOR THE INTENDED FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE AN INOPERATIVE RIGHT FUEL QUANTITY GAGE WHICH RESULTED IN INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND AN INADVERTENT STALL AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTRD TO REACH A LAKE SHORE FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - 2 engines
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A LOCAL VFR FLIGHT AT 1117. AT 1154 HE CONTACTED ERIE TOWER FOR LANDING. HE THEN ADVISED THE TOWER AT 1159 THAT HE HAD FEATHERED THE RIGHT ENGINE. ONE MINUTE LATER HE REPORTED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE WAS '...KICKING OUT.' THE AIRCRAFT STALLED INTO A HOUSE 6 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT, AND JUST SHORT OF THE SHORELINE OF LAKE ERIE. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT WING. 7 GALS WERE DRAINED FROM THE LEFT WING; NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT ENG. RIGHT FUEL QUANTITY C/B SECURED IN OUT POSITION BY WIRE TIE; SEVERAL BURNED COMPONENTS FOUND ON BACK OF RIGHT FUEL QUANTITY GAGE PC BOARD. MOST RECENT RECORD OF FUEL PURCHASE WHICH COULD BE FOUND WAS FOR MAY 25, 1989. A POCKET DIARY WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE WHICH CONTAINED ENTRIES OF FLIGHT TIMES AND FUEL QUANTITY NOTATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N478AD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N478AD-1990-02-01), registration cancelled 1990-02-01, S/N P59 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 60
- Registry model: [Beech 60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-60) (registry code 1153602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P-59
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-541-E1A4 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Automation Devices, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ERI, ERIE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ERI, 6 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 19891228053619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891228053619A), Dec 28, 1989: Beech 60, Erie, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Reported engine problems. Crashed into roof of a house. No fuel found in tanks. Found burned fuel circuit board.

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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