# NTSB GAA15CA009: Beech 76, N6700D, Juda, WI, March 16, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 16, 2015, 17:58 local (22:58 UTC)
- Place: Juda, WI
- Coordinates: 42.586967, -89.502791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5870&lon=-89.5028&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90881/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90881
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA009

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and a loss of engine power enroute.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 76, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 76, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while enroute to his destination, he experienced a loss of power to his left engine about 10 miles from the airport. Shortly after, the right engine experienced a loss of power, and the pilot maneuvered the airplane for an off-airport landing on a paved road. During the descent, the airplane struck power lines along the side of the road, causing substantial damage to the left wing. Upon subsequent investigation by a Federal Aviation Administration air safety inspector, it was determined that the airplane's fuel tanks were empty.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while enroute to his destination, he experienced a loss of power to his left engine about 10 miles from the airport. Shortly after, the right engine experienced a loss of power, and the pilot maneuvered the airplane for an off-airport landing on a paved road. During the descent, the airplane struck power lines along the side of the road, causing substantial damage to the left wing. Upon subsequent investigation by a Federal Aviation Administration air safety inspector, it was determined that the airplane's fuel tanks were empty.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6700D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6700D-2018-04-19), registration cancelled 2018-04-19, S/N ME-276, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 76 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76) (registry code 1153005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ME-276
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 9107
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 2014
- Departed: 1C5, BOLINGBROOK, IL
- Destination: EFT, MONROE, WI
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,593 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,533 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: KEFT, 4 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 20150316003289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150316003289A), Mar 16, 2015: Beech 76, Juda, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft was en route from bolingbrook, Illinois to st. paul, Minnesota. A fuel stop was planned at monroe, Wisconsin and ran out of fuel 5 NM se of that…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90881. 3.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426848&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- NTSB Form 6120_1 Owner (item 2, .PDF, 636 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426850&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Owner-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of front left of airplane (photo courtesy of the owner) (item 3, .PDF, 974 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20front%20left%20of%20airplane%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20owner)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – View of right rear of airplane (photo courtesy of the owner) (item 4, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426854&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20right%20rear%20of%20airplane%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20owner)-Master.PDF
- Record of Phone Conversation (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426855&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(FAA)-Master.PDF

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.

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