# NTSB FTW94LA015: Beech A36TC, N321TJ, Pueblo, CO, October 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1993, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Pueblo, CO
- Coordinates: 38.439067, -104.620651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4391&lon=-104.6207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA015

## Probable cause

A COMPLETE, NON MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE POWER PLANT FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED  LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FINAL APPROACH AFTER COMPLETING A 2 HOUR 45 MINUTE CROSS  COUNTRY FLIGHT, A POWER LOSS OCCURRED AND THE PILOT CONDUCTED A  FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD 1/4 MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.   PERFORMANCE AND HISTORICAL DATA INDICATE THAT AT THE TIME OF THE  FORCED LANDING 72 GALLONS OF FUEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOARD THE  AIRCRAFT.  HOW THE FUEL WAS DISTRIBUTED IS UNKNOWN.  FOLLOWING  THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE WAS RUN ON A TEST CELL AND PERFORMED  NORMALLY.

## Factual narrative

On October 22, 1993, at 1000 mountain daylight time, a Beech A36TC, N321TJ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing approximately one quarter mile short of runway 26R at Pueblo Regional Airport, Pueblo, Colorado.  The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries, and one passenger no injuries.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight which originated earlier in the day from Addison, Texas, with a fuel stop at Olathe, Kansas.

According to the pilot, while on approach to Pueblo, he noted that the fuel flow was abnormally high.  This was followed by a complete engine power loss.  The pilot said he went through emergency procedures; however, the engine failed to respond and he conducted a forced landing on rough terrain.

According to information supplied by the pilot, the flight departed Olathe with 132 gallons of fuel aboard.  This was distributed with the mains being full and each tip tank containing approximately 10 gallons.  The time airborne from Olathe was approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.  According to performance data, the aircraft should have arrived in Pueblo with approximately 72 gallons aboard.  How this fuel was distributed in the tanks is unknown.

Following the accident, the engine was removed and sent to the facilities of Continental Motors at Mobile, Alabama.  The engine was mounted on a test cell with a club propeller and operated in a normal fashion.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N321TJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36TC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: EA-189
- Airframe hours: 1743
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-UB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hellstern, Ronald A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1993, 42 hours before
- Departed: OJC, OLATHE, KS
- Destination: PUB

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,155 total, 632 in this make and model, 897 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PUB

## 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 19931022040539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931022040539A), Oct 22, 1993: Beech A36TC, Pueblo, CO, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Landed short. Fuel on board. Engine test ok. Possible fuel mismanagement.

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.
