# NTSB GAA16CA177: Beech A23, N5791V, Hulbert, OK, April 5, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 5, 2016, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC) - Place: Hulbert, OK - Coordinates: 35.954723, -95.135276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9547&lon=-95.1353&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92960 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92960/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92960 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA177 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and collision with terrain. ## 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 A23A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 720 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 A23A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 1,696 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management; cases with it: [Beech A23A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 1,696 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/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 A23A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech A23A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 3,368 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech A23A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151208), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that about 5 hours into a night cross country flight the engine started running rough. He switched between the left and right fuel tanks several times, adjusted the mixture, but was unsuccessful in correcting the issue. The pilot further reported that he knew that he would not make it to the nearest airport, so he turned on his landing light and looked for a place to land. The pilot landed the airplane in a pond, and came to rest on the shore. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A postaccident examination revealed that the right and left fuel tanks were empty. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that about 5 hours into a night cross country flight the engine started running rough. He switched between the left and right fuel tanks several times, adjusted the mixture, but was unsuccessful in correcting the issue. The pilot further reported that he knew that he would not make it to the nearest airport, so he turned on his landing light and looked for a place to land. The pilot landed the airplane in a pond, and came to rest on the shore. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A postaccident examination revealed that the right and left fuel tanks were empty. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5791V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5791V-2018-03-14), registration cancelled 2018-03-14, S/N M-971, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A23 (A) - Registry model: [Beech A23A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23a) (registry code 1151208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-971 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 4516.24 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2015 - Departed: MDQ, HUNTSVILLE, AL - Destination: 1H6, TULSA, OK - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 152 total, 98 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KTQH, 7 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 20160405003279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160405003279A), Apr 5, 2016: Beech A23A, Beggs, OK, Substantial damage. The following is based on the pilots statement. The pilot planned a VFR flight from huntsville Alabama (mdq) to tulsa Oklahoma (1H6). The flight purpose was to… ## Other investigations on N5791V (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI68D0334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68D0334), Aug 29, 1967: Beech A23 (N5791V), Chagrin Fall, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 24, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92960. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440361&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 4 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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. --- 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.