# NTSB ERA12CA059: Beech F33A, N833, Chesterfield, VA, November 2, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 2, 2011, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Chesterfield, VA - Coordinates: 37.416942, -77.658889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4169&lon=-77.6589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82223/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82223 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA059 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane had been fueled and then flown for about 3.25 hours prior to landing at a private airstrip. After dropping off a passenger, the pilot departed from the private airstrip and was en route to a nearby airport when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing into a reservoir, which resulted in substantial damage to the ailerons. The airplane was recovered from the reservoir, and about 20 and 12 gallons of fluid were drained from the right and left wing fuel tanks, respectively. The fluid from the right tank was determined to be aviation fuel; however, the fluid from the left tank was determined to be water only and void of fuel. The fuel selector was selected to the left tank. The postaccident examination revealed no other anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation. ## Factual narrative The airplane had been fueled and then flown for about three hours and fifteen minutes prior to landing at a private landing strip. The pilot then departed from the private strip and was enroute to a nearby airport when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing into a reservoir, which resulted in substantial damage to the ailerons. The airplane came to rest upright and floated for several minutes, while the pilot egressed and was rescued by a local resident. After the airplane was recovered from the reservoir, about 20 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing fuel tank. The left wing fuel tank was void of fuel and the fuel selector was selected to the left tank. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no other anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N833](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N833), registered now, S/N CE-1217, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH F33A - Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-1217 - Airframe hours: 1681 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 2011, 14 hours before - Departed: Fork Union, VA - Destination: FCI, Chesterfield, VA - Airport: FCI, Chesterfield County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 7,577 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: FCI, 7 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 20111102024659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111102024659A), Nov 2, 2011: Beech F33A, Midlothian, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed into the swift creek reservoir, after the aircraft engine quit due to fuel starvation. Post accident investigation revealed that the fuel… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82223. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 402 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358593&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Interview with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Interview%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record Fuel Receipt (item 3, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357286&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Fuel%20Receipt-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum For Record: FAA Inspector Statement of Examination (item 4, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357287&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%3A%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20of%20Examination-Master.PDF - Chesterfield Weather (item 5, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357283&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Chesterfield%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Airplane At Rest (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.