# NTSB FTW91LA006: Beech 77, N38021, Arkadelphia, AR, October 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1990, 19:40 local (Oct 15, 1990, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Arkadelphia, AR
- Coordinates: 34.119197, -93.070945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1192&lon=-93.0709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23284/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA006

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE DUE TO A BLOCKED FUEL SYSTEM VENT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, AND CONTACTING HIGH VEGETATION AND LOW TREES DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FLOWN TO AN AIRPORT WITH AVAILABLE FUEL WHEN ON FINAL APPROACH, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A FIELD WITH HIGH VEGETATION AND LOW TREES. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT AN INSECT'S MUD NEST WAS OBSTRUCTING THE LEFT FUEL TANK VENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38021](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38021-1992-04-14), registration cancelled 1992-04-14, S/N WA205 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 77
- Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: WA205
- Airframe hours: 2163
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Flying Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 30, 1990, 74 hours before
- Departed: M78, MALVERN, AR
- Airport: M89, Arkadelphia

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 56 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901014044999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901014044999A), Oct 14, 1990: Beech 77, Arkadelphia, AR, Substantial damage. Flying to another airport for fuel. Lost power on final. Landed short in high grass. Mud dobber in fuel tank vent.

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.