# NTSB FTW83LA139: Beckner FW-3, N2762J, Victoria, TX, March 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1983, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Victoria, TX
- Coordinates: 28.940671, -97.019607 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9407&lon=-97.0196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - movement restricted (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A TEST FLT IN HIS HOME BUILT EXPERIMENTAL ACFT. WHILE HE WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT ABOUT 45 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A MUDDY FIELD WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, ABOUT 1/2 GAL OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A CHIP OF FIBERGLASS RESIN WAS FOUND ON HIS HOME BUILT FUEL GAUGE, PREVENTING IT FROM GOING DOWN AS FUEL WAS CONSUMED. HE STATED THAT HE WAS NOT SURE, BUT HE ESTIMATED 8 GAL OF FUEL WAS ON BOARD. THE ACFT HAD APRX 2.15 HRS TOTAL FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2762J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BECKNER FW-3
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 102
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Festus W. Beckner
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 4, 1982, 2 hours before
- Departed: VCT, VICTORIA, TX
- Airport: T42, Ball

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 406 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830305006179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830305006179A), Mar 5, 1983: Amtr FW3, Victoria, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing after fuel exhaustion. Fuel gauge was stuck giving incorrect indication.

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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