# NTSB GAA20CA042: Beech 19, N2177W, Somerville, TN, October 9, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 9, 2019, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Somerville, TN - Coordinates: 35.196666, -89.396385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1967&lon=-89.3964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 100396 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100396/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100396 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to move the fuel selector position to the "on" position before takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and necessitated a forced landing to a field shortly after takeoff, and his subsequent improper decision to take off from unsuitable terrain, which resulted in collision with an embankment and a postcrash fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B19, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Beech B19, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Beech B19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech B19, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Beech B19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Beech B19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the engine "shut down" due to the fuel selector being in the "off" position. Subsequently, he made a forced landing to a field adjacent to the runway. He moved the fuel selector to the "on" position and then initiated a soft-field takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane collided with an embankment, and it momentarily ascended before landing hard and then coming to rest upright. The nose landing gear separated from the airplane, and the fuel tanks ruptured. A fire ensued, which consumed the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors, the pilot reported that he initiated a soft-field takeoff, with the intent of flying out of the field after making a forced landing. During the takeoff roll, the airplane collided with an embankment and the airplane momentarily ascended before landing hard. The nose landing gear separated from the airplane, "causing a rupture in the fuel tanks." The airplane came to rest upright, but a fire erupted, "under the right wing" according to pilot. The airplane was consumed by fire and sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2177W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2177W-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N MB-694, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 19 (B19) - Registry model: [Beech B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b19) (registry code 1151215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MB-694 - Year built: 1974 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 3203 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 2019 - Departed: FYE, Somerville, TN - Destination: 1M7, Fulton, KY - Airport: FYE, Fayette County - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 600 total, 5 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KM08, 17 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 20191009017529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191009017529A), Oct 9, 2019: Beech B19, Somerville, TN, Destroyed. On October 9th 2019 N2177W landed in Fayette County Airport. The PIC was [privacy data omitted]. The PIC got gas for his aircraft and approx. 1500 started to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 17, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100396. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480039&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480040&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.