# NTSB FTW96LA139: Rockwell 500U, N197K, Hampton, AR, February 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 16, 1996, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Hampton, AR - Coordinates: 33.119255, -91.960113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1193&lon=-91.9601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19777 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19777/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA139 ## Probable cause Improper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - all engines - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - object - electrical tower - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis After deplaning a passenger, the pilot departed the airport, en route to the operator's base to refuel. He reported that, while 'climbing through 6,500 [feet], the left engine began to surge.' After turning back to the departure airport, located 12 miles away, 'both engines began to sputter and quit.' Descending through 4,500 feet, the pilot attempted to restart the right engine and then the left engine. Both engines individually 'ran' for 15-30 seconds, but 'quit again.' During the emergency descent, the pilot 'maneuvered around' a tower to land in a farmer's field. During the ensuing landing, the left wing 'caught a terrace and turned [the airplane] sideways.' The left wing was buckled between the nacelle and fuselage, and fuselage structure above the nose gear was damaged. No usable fuel was found on board, and no fuel spills or leaks were detected. ## Factual narrative On February 16, 1996, at 1340 central standard time, a Rockwell 500U, N197K, registered to, and operated by Kel Air Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, was forced to land following a loss of engine power, near Hampton, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the airline transport pilot-in-command was not injured. The flight originated from Hampton, Arkansas, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident and was en route to Crossett, Arkansas. The pilot reported that, he "dropped off a passenger" at Hampton after a flight from Texarkana, Arkansas. He then departed Hampton, en route to Crossett to "refuel and return to Hampton." "Climbing through 6,500 [feet], the left engine began to surge." After turning back to Hampton (about 12 miles away), "both engines began to sputter and quit." Descending through 4,500 feet, the pilot attempted to restart the right engine, and then the left engine. Both engines individually "ran" for 15-30 seconds, but "quit again." During the emergency descent, and passing through 1,500 feet, the pilot "maneuvered around" a tower to execute an emergency landing to a farmer's field. Upon ground contact, the left wing "caught a terrace and turned [the airplane] sideways." The right main landing gear and nose gear then collapsed, with the airplane coming to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector, revealed "stress wrinkles" on the left wing between the nacelle and the fuselage. Additionally, the fuselage structure above the nose gear mounts was damaged. In an interview with the FAA inspector, the pilot stated that, he "ran out of fuel." Further inspection by a FAA airworthiness inspector revealed no usable fuel on board. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N197K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N197K-2005-02-15), registration cancelled 2005-02-15, S/N 1656-11, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 500U - Registry model: [Aero Commander 500-U](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500-u) (registry code 0141108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1167 - Airframe hours: 5500 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E2A5 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kel Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1996, 5 hours before - Departed: 0R6 - Destination: CRT, CROSSETT, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 125 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 19960216046689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960216046689A), Feb 16, 1996: Gulstm 500U, AR, Substantial damage. Twin commander 500U, N197K, on February 16, at 1430 local, had a forced landing in a field approximately two miles east of harrell, AR due to fuel exhaustion.… 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.