# NTSB LAX06CA299: Beech 95-55, N9412Y, Safford, AZ, September 28, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2006, 18:15 local (Sep 28, 2006, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Safford, AZ - Coordinates: 32.853054, -109.634719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8531&lon=-109.6347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64651 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA299 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64651/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA299 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, which led to fuel exhaustion and total loss of power to both engines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - 2 engines - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While on final approach, the airplane experienced a total loss of power to both engines and collided with terrain short of the runway. Prior to departure, the pilot purchased fuel for the 635 nautical mile cross-country flight. While en route he noticed the airplane was encountering headwind conditions. With the airplane about 3 miles from the destination airport, the pilot extended the landing gear and aligned the airplane on final approach. Shortly thereafter, both engines experienced a loss of power. The airplane descended rapidly and collided with terrain about 0.25 to 0.5 miles short of the runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. He stated that the engines lost power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 2006, about 1815 mountain standard time, a Beech 95-55, N9412Y, experienced a loss of power in both engines and collided with terrain while on final approach to the Safford Regional Airport, Safford, Arizona. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, Texas, about 1545 central daylight time, with a planned destination of Safford. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In both a written statement and telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that he purchased fuel prior to departure. He departed on the 635 nautical mile cross-country flight with about 120 gallons of fuel on board. While en route, the pilot noted the airplane's ground speed was around 140-145 knots, which he attributed to head wind conditions. At that time, he referenced the fuel gauge indications and determined that there was enough fuel for the remaining 1-hour flight to Safford. The pilot further stated that as he entered the proximity of Safford, he maneuvered the airplane in a gradual descent from 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl). He noted that the visibility conditions were hazy and it was difficult to accurately discern his distance from the runway. With the airplane an estimated 3 miles from the airport, he extended the landing gear and aligned the airplane on final approach to runway 26. As the pilot continued the approach, the left engine experienced a loss of power and quit. He positioned the fuel selector to the left auxiliary fuel tank and attempted to restart the engine. The right engine then experienced a loss of power and quit. The airplane descended rapidly and collided with terrain about 0.25 to 0.5 miles short of the runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. He stated that the engines quit due to fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9412Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9412Y-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N TC-25, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 95-55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-55) (registry code 1152702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-25 - Engines: Lycoming IO-470-L reciprocating; Lycoming IO-470-L reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AUS, Austin, TX - Destination: SAD, Safford, AZ - Airport: KSAD, Safford Regional, runway 26 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 750 total, 130 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 310° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KSAD ## 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 20060927025569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060927025569A), Sep 27, 2006: Beech 9555, Safford, AZ, Destroyed. (-23) VFR flight from austin, TX to Safford, AZ. Departed austin approximately 3:45 (local) with a planned flight time of 3:50. Due to unexpected head winds… 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.