# NTSB FTW90LA175: Beech C55, N666DF, Weatherford, TX, September 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1990, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Weatherford, TX
- Coordinates: 32.749614, -97.770965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7496&lon=-97.7710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA175

## Probable cause

THE FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS TO THE LEFT ENGINE, WHICH RESULTED FROM THE IMPROPER FUEL TANK BEING SELECTED BY THE PIC.

## 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
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE MULTI-ENGINE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT ENGINE THE PILOT RECEIVED CLEARANCE FROM ATC TO A NEARBY AIRPORT. THE PILOT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND SET UP FOR APPROACH. HE EXECUTED A GO- AROUND OVER THE RUNWAY. AS HE APPLIED POWER, THE LEFT ENGINE SURGED AND AIRSPEED WAS LOST. THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND ON A ROAD, BUT STRUCK THE TOPS OF SEVERAL TREES DURING THE DESCENT. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD ON THE ROAD AND SLID INTO A TREE AND MAIL BOX POLE. FAA INSPECTORS DISCOVERED THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS EMPTY AND FUEL SELECTOR SWITCHES POSITIONED TO THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS. MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE NEARLY FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N666DF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N666DF-1993-05-13), registration cancelled 1993-05-13, S/N TE160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-C55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-c55) (registry code 1152708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-160
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C/CB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Bruce Dolenz, doing business as Executive Flight
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 6, 1990
- Departed: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: ABI, ABILENE, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NONE, Parker County, runway 17, 2,889 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,230 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,060 as pilot in command, 425 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900905038169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900905038169A), Sep 5, 1990: Beech 95C55, Weatherford, TX, Substantial damage. Right engine quit. Diverted. Too high to land began go around. Left engine surged. Hit trees. On empty aux tanks.

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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