# NTSB FTW96LA109: Beech 77, N6706C, Grand Prairie, TX, January 28, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 28, 1996, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Grand Prairie, TX - Coordinates: 32.780315, -97.009529 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7803&lon=-97.0095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19754/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA109 ## Probable cause a loss of power for undetermined 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, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Ditching, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - water ## Analysis When nearing the destination airport, the fuel boost pump was turned on and the pilot smelled a strong odor of fuel. The engine began to lose power and the fuel boost pump was turned off. Carburetor heat was applied and the engine continued to lose power. Full throttle was applied; however, the engine only produced 600 to 700 RPM. The pilot was concerned about a possible inflight fire and elected to execute a forced landing to Joe Pool Lake. After recovery of the airplane from the lake a successful engine run was accomplished, and no anomalies were found with either the carburetor or associated fuel system components. ## Factual narrative On January 28, 1996, at 1100 central standard time, a Beech 77, N6706C, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Grand Prairie, Texas. The private pilot received minor injuries. The local flight originated from Grand Prairie, Texas, at 1000. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. During interviews with the investigator-in-charge and the FAA inspector, the pilot reported the following information. The pilot flew to Cleburne, Texas, to conduct traffic pattern work; however, due to the traffic pattern being too crowded, he elected to return to the Grand Prairie Airport. On the return flight, the fuel boost pump was turned on and the pilot smelled a strong odor of fuel. The engine began to lose power and the fuel boost pump was turned off. Carburetor heat was applied and the engine continued to lose power. Full throttle was applied; however, the engine only produced 600 to 700 RPM. The pilot added that he was concerned about a possible inflight fire and elected to execute a forced landing to Joe Pool Lake. The pilot further reported to the FAA inspector that during the water landing he stalled the airplane a "little high." As the airplane contacted the water, it nosed down. The pilot egressed and climbed onto the inverted airplane. As the airplane began to sink, the pilot swam to a buoy where he was rescued. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed one wing was separated, and one fuel tank contained blue tinted fuel and water. According to the FAA inspector a successful engine run was accomplished, and no anomalies were found with either the carburetor or associated fuel system components. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6706C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6706C-2017-05-23), registration cancelled 2017-05-23, S/N WA-49, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 77 - Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: WA49 - Airframe hours: 4709 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank A. Hansen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1995, 47 hours before - Departed: GPM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 145 total, 40 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 16 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 21 °F - Observed at: RDB, 12 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 19960128001019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960128001019A), Jan 28, 1996: Beech 77, Grand Prairie, TX, Substantial damage. En route turned on boost pump unknownly flooding engine. Lost power. Smelled fuel. Nosed over ditching in a lake. 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.