# NTSB GAA18CA149: Beech B, N77MM, Ferris, TX, March 1, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 1, 2018, 11:00 UTC - Place: Ferris, TX - Coordinates: 32.301387, -96.372222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3014&lon=-96.3722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96829/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96829 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA149 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper preflight inspection of the fuel level, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear before the emergency landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech B-60, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1153605), [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 B-60, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Beech B-60, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1153605), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the multi-engine, retractable landing gear airplane reported that, during an instrument flight rules cross-country flight, about 5,000 ft above mean sea level, the left engine surged several times and he performed an emergency engine shutdown. Shortly afterward, the right engine lost power. During the emergency descent, the airplane struck treetops, and landed hard in a field with the landing gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the engine mounts, and the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that he had requested 200 gallons of fuel from his home airport fixed base operator, but they did not fuel the airplane. The pilot did not check the fuel quantity during his preflight inspection. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 2, page 2-7, pilots must always positively confirm the fuel quantity by visually inspecting the fuel level in each tank. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the multi-engine, retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that during an instrument flight rules cross-country flight, about 5,000ft MSL, the left engine surged several times and he performed an emergency engine shutdown. Shortly afterward, the right engine lost power. During the emergency descent, the airplane struck tree tops, and landed hard in a field with the landing gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the engine mounts and the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that he had requested 200 gallons of fuel from his home airport FBO, but they did not fuel the airplane. The pilot did not check the fuel quantity during his preflight inspection. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 2, page 2-7, pilot's must always positively confirm the fuel quantity by visually inspecting the level of each tank. The PIC reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77MM-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N P-587, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B (60) - Registry model: [Beech B-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-60) (registry code 1153605) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P-587 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 2210 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-541 380 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING TIO-541 380 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Mike & Mayo Partners Lp - Registered owner: Mike & Mayo Partners Lp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 1, 2017 - Departed: ADS, DALLAS, TX - Destination: LXY, MEXIA, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review July 27, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,400 total, 2,200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 13 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KCRS, 16 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 20180301001349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180301001349A), Mar 1, 2018: Beech B-60, Ferris, TX, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted] Did a walk-around inspection of the plane prior to takeoff. Before takeoff he entered 100GAL in both of the two jpi instruments.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96829. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.