# NTSB FTW97LA294: Beech C24R, N24PS, Pollock, LA, August 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1997, 10:18 local (15:18 UTC) - Place: Pollock, LA - Coordinates: 31.52058, -92.400733 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5206&lon=-92.4007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20302/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA294 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's improper use of the fuel selector. Factors were the pilot's failure to use the checklist and 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(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - wet ## Analysis During cruise flight, at 5,500 feet AGL, the engine lost power. A forced landing was performed to a pipeline right-of-way, and during the landing roll the wheels of the aircraft encountered some soft ground and spun around structurally damaging the right wing and fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the left wing tank. The left wing fuel tank was empty, and the right wing fuel tank contained approximately 20 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported that he 'forgot to switch tanks.' The Pilot's Operating Handbook for the aircraft states in Section III, Emergency Procedures, page 3-3, Engine Failure After Lift off And In Flight, 'Fuel Selector - SELECT OTHER TANK.' ## Factual narrative On August 4, 1997, at 1018 central daylight time, a Beech C24R airplane, N24PS, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Pollock, Louisiana. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal, cross country flight. A flight plan was not filed for the flight that originated in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he was on a cross country flight from Muskogee, Oklahoma, to New Orleans, Louisiana. During cruise flight, at 5,500 feet AGL, the engine lost power. A forced landing was performed to a pipeline right-of-way, and during the landing roll, the wheels of the aircraft encountered some soft ground and spun around. The pilot further reported that he "forgot to switch tanks." The Pilot's Operating Handbook for the aircraft states in Section III, Emergency Procedures, page 3-3, ENGINE FAILURE AFTER LIFT OFF AND IN FLIGHT, "Fuel Selector - SELECT OTHER TANK." Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the left wing tank. The left wing fuel tank was empty, and the right wing fuel tank contained approximately 20 gallons of fuel. The propeller was bent, the nose and right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing and empennage were substantially damaged. Attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24PS-1998-05-29), registration cancelled 1998-05-29, S/N MC681 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech C24R - Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MC-681 - Airframe hours: 2948 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James R. Robertson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1997, 8 hours before - Departed: MKO, MUSKOGEE, OK - Destination: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 630 total, 28 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 3 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ESF, 10 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 19970804046859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970804046859A), Aug 4, 1997: Pollock, LA, No damage. (-23) On August 4, 1997, a Beechcraft, model BE-23-C24R, aircraft, N24PS, registered to Mr. James r. robertson, was landed on a pipeline right-of-way near… 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.