# NTSB CHI94LA110: Beech C23, N5258M, Aurora, NE, March 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1994, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, NE
- Coordinates: 40.85923, -97.999885 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8592&lon=-97.9999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA110

## Probable cause

an inadequate fuel supply for the flight and the pilot's failure to refuel while en route.  A factor related to the accident was the soft terrain on which the airplane was landed.

## 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
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A SOFT, MUDDY FIELD AT WHICH TIME THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO FUEL ON BOARD.  THE PILOT HAD THE OPERATOR REMOVE 15 GALLONS OF FUEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF FOR WEIGHT AND BALANCE PURPOSES.

## Factual narrative

On March 11, 1994, at 1700 central standard time (cst), a Beech C23, N5258M, operated by the Anoka Flying Service, Anoka, Minnesota, and flown by a private pilot collided with the terrain during a forced landing in Aurora, Nebraska, while on a personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight.  The forced landing was a result of a loss of engine power.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot and two passengers were not injured.  The flight originated from Anoka, Minnesota, on March 11, 1994, at 1315 cst.

The pilot reported that while en route to the Aurora Municipal Airport the engine "stumbles" and stopped.  A forced landing was made in a soft, muddy field during which the airplane was substantially damaged.

Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors from the Lincoln, Nebraska, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the wreckage and reported that no fuel was found on board the airplane.

The operator of the airplane reported that the airplane was originally full of fuel, but the pilot had them remove 15 gallons for weight and balance purposes.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5258M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5258M-1994-07-13), registration cancelled 1994-07-13, S/N M2018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2018
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anoka Flying Service
- Registered owner: Virgil L. Barnes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ANE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 85 total, 17 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 14 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUH, 3 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 19940311005529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940311005529A), Mar 11, 1994: Beech C23, Aurora, NE, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Force landed in muddy field. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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