# NTSB ERA20TA030: Beech 76, N6015Z, Doral, FL, November 4, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: November 3, 2019, 21:50 local (Nov 4, 2019, 02:50 UTC) - Place: Doral, FL - Coordinates: 25.796943, -80.34111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7969&lon=-80.3411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100524 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20TA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100524/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100524 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20TA030 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of power to both engines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 76, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Beech 76, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech 76, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he estimated that he had sufficient fuel onboard before departing on the flight. About 20 miles from the destination, at 2,000 ft mean sea level (msl), the right engine suddenly lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The pilot then diverted toward a closer airport. About 500 ft msl, the left engine also suddenly lost power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and attempted a forced landing on a road. Shortly before touchdown, the left wing impacted a truck on the road and the airplane was substantially damaged. Postaccident examination revealed that both fuel tanks were intact, and no fuel was leaking. About 1 cup and 1/2 cup of fuel were recovered from the left and right fuel tanks, respectively. Thus, it is likely that the pilot either incorrectly estimated his fuel state before departure or he underestimated the fuel required to reach the destination and exhausted the airplane's fuel supply, which resulted in a total loss of power to both engines. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 2019, about 2150 eastern standard time, a Beech 76, N6015Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a road near Doral, Florida. The commercial pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated by GPS Global Pilot School under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight originated at Hilton Head Airport (HXD), Hilton Head, South Carolina about 1840 and was destined for Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida. The pilot reported that he landed at HXD with 55 to 60 gallons of fuel on board, and another 20 gallons of fuel were purchased before departing HXD. The fuel tanks were not filled to capacity at HXD. He estimated that the fuel needed to fly to TMB was 65 gallons with 15 gallons in reserve. The en route portion of the flight was uneventful. About 20 miles northwest of TMB, at 2,000 ft mean sea level (msl), the right engine "failed without warning." An attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful. The right engine propeller was feathered. Following some radio communication problems, contact with Miami approach was re-established and the pilot diverted to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Florida. About 500 ft msl, the left engine also experienced a sudden total loss of power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and attempted a forced landing on a road to the west of MIA. Shortly before touchdown, the left wing struck a truck on the road. The airplane came to a stop and the pilots egressed the airplane and were met by first responders. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Both wings and the fuselage were structurally damaged. The airplane was equipped with a fuel tank in each wing, with a capacity of 50 gallons useable in each tank. The tanks were drained; 1/2 cup of fuel was recovered from the left tank and 1 cup of fuel was recovered from the right tank. The inspector arrived on scene within one hour of the accident and reported that there was no fuel leaking from either tank and no fuel stains were observed on the ground under the airplane. First responders also reported that there was no fuel leaking from the airplane when they arrived on scene. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6015Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6015Z), registered now, S/N ME-145, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 76 (No Series) - Registry model: [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76) (registry code 1153005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: ME-145 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 11508 - Engines: Lycoming O360-A1G6D 180 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming O360-A1G6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: GPS Global Flight School - Registered owner: Osorio Aviation Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2019 - Departed: HXD, Hilton Head, SC - Destination: TMB, Miami, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MIA, Miami Intl - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,491 total, 16 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 5, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,312 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,244 as pilot in command, 226 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 40° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KMIA, 3 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 20191103022769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191103022769A), Nov 3, 2019: Beech 76, Doral, FL, Destroyed. Two pilots departed miami executive airport (tmb) under IFR in a Beechcraft duchess BE-76, N6015Z to lakeland linder international airport (lal). At klal, the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100524. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Excerpt - Airframe Logbook (item 3, .PDF, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20-%20Airframe%20Logbook-Master.PDF - Fueling Record (item 4, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fueling%20Record-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 826 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Photo Provided by Flight Crew (item 6, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Provided%20by%20Flight%20Crew-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.