# NTSB CHI94LA323: Beech D18S, N666S, Mt Pleasant, MI, September 9, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1994, 17:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Mt Pleasant, MI
- Location: 43.5967° N, 84.7760° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Pleasant, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5967&lon=-84.7760&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA323

## Probable cause

the improper fuel selector position by the pilot-in-command which resulted in fuel starvation.  A factor was rough/uneven terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A LOSS OF POWER ON BOTH ENGINES.  THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED HE ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN POWER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AND THEREFORE CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD.  AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE FOUND THAT HE HAD SELECTED THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE WRONG POSITION AND THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD SUFFERED FUEL STARVATION.

## Factual narrative

On September 9, 1994, at 1725 eastern daylight time, a Beech D18S, N666S, registered to Gateway Air Service of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and piloted by a commercial pilot, experienced a loss of engine power. During the forced landing near Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Both the pilot and second pilot reported no injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 repositioning flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file.  The flight originated from Waterloo, Iowa, at 1500.

The pilot-in-command stated that while in cruise flight the airplane sustained a loss of power on both engines.  After attempts to reestablish power failed, a forced landing in a rock strewn field resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear and substantial damage to the airplane.

The pilot-in-command said that after the accident he found that he had selected the fuel selector in the wrong position and the airplane suffered fuel "starvation."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N666S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N666S-2015-04-27), registration cancelled 2015-04-27, S/N A-176, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D18S
- Registry model: [Beech D18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d18s) (registry code 1151004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A-176
- Airframe hours: 8868
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gateway Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1994, 5 hours before
- Departed: ALO, WATERLOO, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 5,700 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 28 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 19940909032239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940909032239A), Sep 9, 1994: Beech D18S, Mt Pleasant, MI, Destroyed. Fuel starvation. Pilot mismanaged fuel. Eighty gallons remained when engines quit.

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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