# NTSB CHI97LA077: Beech A36, N18DR, Matherville, IL, February 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 25, 1997, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Matherville, IL - Coordinates: 41.259841, -90.600563 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2598&lon=-90.6006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10522 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10522/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA077 ## Probable cause a loss of engine as a result of the pilot-in-command's improper positioning of the fuel tank selector. A factor was the rough terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis During an engine-out emergency procedure, the pilot 'completed the checklist rapidly,' and continued to execute the forced-landing procedure. In the pilot's written statement he contested that he 'looking down, changed right to left tanks.' At 1000 feet AGL the CFI, 'elected to discontinue the maneuver,' and proceeded with a go-around. The engine did not recover from the idle position, and the pilot continued with the forced landing and proceeded to land the airplane, in a gear-up configuration, in a rough field. Postcrash investigation showed that the fuel selector was set in the 'Off' position. ## Factual narrative On February 25, 1997, at 1530 central standard time, a Beech A36, N18DR, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a field one-half mile south south-east of Matherville, Illinois. The instructor pilot indicated that he was giving a biennial flight review to the second pilot and they were demonstrating forced landing technique when the engine failed to respond and an actual forced landing became necessary. Neither pilot reported injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed Moline, Illinois, at 1500. In a written statement by the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), the CFI pulled the engine power lever aft to simulate an engine power loss. During the engine-out emergency procedure, the pilot "completed the checklist rapidly," and continued to execute the forced-landing procedure. During the completion of the checklist the pilot said, " I'm changing tanks," and the CFI responded, "Don't bother." In the pilot's written statement he contested that, "looking down, [I] changed right to left tanks." About 1000 feet AGL the CFI, "elected to discontinue the maneuver," and proceeded to go-around. The CFI advanced the propeller lever forward and, "noticed it govern the propeller RPM as I selected cowl flaps open and full throttle, the prop failed to govern at that time." The CFI reported that, "I became alarmed. I selected mixture to full rich and boost pump on as well as leaving the magnetos on the "Both" position." The CFI next chose a suitable field and, "must of directed Larry to it or he chose it at the same time." The pilot and CFI keep the yoke on the left side, "so that control would not be interrupted." The pilot continued with the forced landing and proceeded to land the airplane, in a gear-up configuration, in the predetermined rough field. Post crash investigation showed that the fuel selector was set in the "Off" position, and the configuration of the fuel selector was " not visible to anyone but the pilot in the left seat." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18DR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18DR), registered now, S/N E1228, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-1228 - Engines: Continental IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: E. B. E., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MLI, MOLINE, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 847 total, 482 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KML, 11 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 19970225001869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970225001869A), Feb 25, 1997: Beech A36, Matherville, IL, Substantial damage. Biennial flight review. Gave engine out task by closing throttle. Applicant turned off fuel. Engine quit on goaround. (.19) on February 25, 1997, at 1530… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.