# NTSB ERA23LA050: Beech B-60, N51AL, Farmingdale, NY, November 5, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 5, 2022, 13:51, time zone not recorded - Place: Farmingdale, NY · In cemetery - Coordinates: 40.73805, -73.39278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7381&lon=-73.3928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-IFR initial approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106258 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106258/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106258 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA050 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper preflight inspection of the airplane’s fuel system, resulting in him commencing the flight with an inadequate fuel supply. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-IFR initial approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was under the impression that his airplane’s inboard fuel tanks had been topped and he had 202 gallons on board prior to departure. He had a “standing order” with the airport’s fixed base operator to top the tanks; however, the fueling was not accomplished and he did not visually check the fuel level prior to departure. He entered 202 gallons in cockpit fuel computer and unknowingly commenced the flight with 61 gallons on board. Prior to reaching his destination, his fuel supply was exhausted, both engines lost all power, and he performed a forced landing in a cemetery about one mile from the airport. The pilot and his passenger had minor injuries. Inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration examined the wreckage and determined that damage to the wings and fuselage was substantial. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51AL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51AL), registered now, S/N P-247, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B-60 - Registry model: [Beech B-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-60) (registry code 1153605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P-247 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 7476 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4 380 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4 380 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 2022 - Departed: BTV, Burlington, VT - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FRG, Republic Airport - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 29, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,672 total, 173 in this make and model, 4,039 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KFRG, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KFRG 051753Z 20014KT 10SM FEW041 BKN060 23/16 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP237 T02280161 10233 20172 58018 ## 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 20221105017759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221105017759A), Nov 5, 2022: Beech B-60, West Babylon, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot departed bvt heading to frg. On approach left engine failed and right engine lost power. Pilot landed in [privacy data omitted] cemetery approximately 1… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106258. 12.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 8.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14755275&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's written statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14755440&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N51AL%20Pilot%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14754929&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.