# NTSB CHI97LA226: Beech D50A, N3BE, Mitchell, NE, July 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1997, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Mitchell, NE - Coordinates: 41.93996, -103.800239 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9400&lon=-103.8002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10642 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10642/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA226 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper fuel selector position and the fuel starvation. Factors contributing to the accident were: the pilot's inattentiveness of the refueling, inadequate aircraft preflight, and the rough terrain/ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - 1 engine - refueling - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - 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 - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis After performing maintenance work on the aircraft, the pilot had the aircraft fueled. 25 gallons of fuel were put into each outboard auxiliary tank. The fueler reported that the pilot removed the outboard fuel caps and he filled those tanks; the pilot then replaced the fuel caps after fueling was completed. The pilot stated he 'failed to recheck fueling and individual tanks.' The main tanks located on the inside of the engine nacelle were not filled. The pilot did a run up and partial power taxi, returned, checked the engines for leaks, and departed. After leveling off at 1500' above ground level and 10 minutes en route, the left engine lost power. The pilot switched to the auxiliary tank, the engine gained power but then quit. The pilot prepared for landing and landed in a rough field. The right main gear and nose gear came off and the fuselage wrinkled behind the cockpit. The pilot reported the next day that he checked the left main tank and found it to be 'bone dry.' ## Factual narrative On July 26, 1997, at 1730 mountain daylight time, a Beech D50A, N3BE, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Mitchell, Nebraska. The pilot reported that one engine lost power during cruise. He was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Torrington, Wyoming, at 1715, with a planned destination of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. After sitting for two years at Torrington, Wyoming, the aircraft was prepared by the pilot for a flight to Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The pilot had 25 gallons of fuel put into each side of the aircraft. The pilot said he "was talking to the airport manager while the aircraft was being fueled." The fueler reported that the pilot removed the outboard fuel caps and he filled those tanks. The pilot then replaced the fuel caps after fueling was completed. The pilot stated he "failed to recheck fueling and individual tanks." The main tanks for this aircraft are on the inboard side of the engine nacelles. The outboard tanks are the auxiliary tanks. The pilot said "fuel had been placed in aux. tanks, which are filled outboard of engine nacelles. Main tanks are inboard. Thinking he had put 25 gallons in main tanks, I departed." The pilot said that he did some taxi tests and partial power runs down the runway. A witness at the airport said the aircraft taxied for a short time, 10 to 15 minutes and did one partial power run down the runway. The pilot said he "then shut down the engines, checked for leaks, found none and departed." The airplane departed the airport with the pilot reporting "roll, climb and cruise were normal." After leveling at 6,000' mean sea level/1,500' above ground level and 10 minutes en route, the left engine lost "75 percent of its power." The pilot reported going through the normal checks. He reported that he switched to the auxiliary tank and "the engine came back momentarily, then quit." The pilot reported he switched back to the main tank and prepared for landing. The pilot said the right engine was running ok. The pilot reported he put the gear down and landed in a rough field. The right main gear and nose gear came off, and the fuselage wrinkled behind the cockpit. The reported that when he examined the airplane after the accident he found the left main tank to be "bone dry." He reported that the power loss was a result of fuel starvation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3BE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3BE-1997-11-28), registration cancelled 1997-11-28, S/N DH196 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech D50A - Registry model: [Beech D50A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d50a) (registry code 1152516) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: DH-196 - Airframe hours: 4104 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480-G2D6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: James Adams - Registered owner: Rimrock Missionary Fellowship - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1984, 29 hours before - Departed: TOR, TORRINGTON, WY - Destination: BFF, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BFF, 13 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 19970726019699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970726019699A), Jul 26, 1997: Beech D50A, Mitchell, NE, Substantial damage. Aircraft left engine lost power and pilot unable to feather engine, made emergency landing in a pasture. (.4)after performing maintenance work on the aircraft,… 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.