# NTSB DEN88LA148: Beech A36, N6051M, Craig, CO, July 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1988, 16:19 local (22:19 UTC)
- Place: Craig, CO
- Coordinates: 40.51942, -107.55059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5194&lon=-107.5506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL AFTER A 4.6 HR X-CNTY FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT SAID THAT THE ENGINE PROBABLY FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. PERSONNEL AT THE WRECKAGE SITE REPORTED NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS. AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT AND SELECTED A GRASS FIELD TO LAND IN. THE ACFT PASSED THROUGH A WIRE FENCE AND STRUCK A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6051M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6051M), registered now, S/N E-1492, built 1979 (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 1492
- Airframe hours: 963
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Natural Resources Inc.
- Registered owner: Natural Resources Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1988, 54 hours before
- Departed: AMA, AMARILLO, TX
- Destination: CAG, CRAIG, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CAG, Craig-Moffat, runway 25, 5,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 951 in this make and model, 44 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880707031849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880707031849A), Jul 7, 1988: Beech A36, Craig, CO, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach to destination airport. Struck a fence and ditch on forced landing.

## Other investigations on N6051M (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI08CA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA175), Jul 1, 2008: Beech A36 (N6051M), Dwight, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the highway signpost that the airplane impacted during the landing rollout.

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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