# NTSB FTW87FA129: Beech B-60, N4314W, Wall, TX, May 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1987, 08:51 local (13:51 UTC)
- Place: Wall, TX
- Coordinates: 31.369024, -100.31047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3690&lon=-100.3105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS DESTROYED DURING AN ATTEMPTED OFF AIRPORT EMERGENCY LANDING FOLLOWING A DUAL ENG FAILURE WHILE LEVELING OFF AT CRZ FLT. PLT STATED THAT LEFT ENG, THEN RIGHT ENG SURGED AND QUIT AS HE WAS LEVELING OFF AT 9000' MSL. AT THE TIME OF THE ENG FAILURES THE FUEL TOTALIZER WAS READING 60 GAL, BUT THE ACFT FUEL GAUGES WERE READING EMPTY. PLT BROKE OUT OF OVC AT 3500 MSL (ABOUT 1200' AGL) AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND A SUITABLE CLEAR AREA TO LAND BEFORE COMMITTING TO AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN TREES. GEAR WAS DOWN, FLAPS WERE UP AND NEITHER ENG WAS FEATHERED AT IMPACT. PLT STATED THAT HE KNEW HE WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN BOTH ENGS QUIT AND THAT HE DID NOT ATTEMPT AN AIR START.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4314W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4314W-1989-07-13), registration cancelled 1989-07-13, S/N P264 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B-60
- Registry model: [Beech B-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-60) (registry code 1153605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P-264
- Airframe hours: 2645
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-541-E1C4 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kachina Energy, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1986, 137 hours before
- Departed: SJT, SAN ANGELO, TX
- Destination: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,553 total, 250 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJT, 20 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 19870527017849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870527017849A), May 27, 1987: Beech B60, Wall, TX, Destroyed. Double engine failure. Forced landing. Collided with trees and rough terrain on landing. Fuel exhausted.

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.