# NTSB LAX91LA317: Beech 55B, N54339, Cupertino, CA, July 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1991, 16:52 local (23:52 UTC)
- Place: Cupertino, CA
- Coordinates: 37.299293, -122.090583 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2993&lon=-122.0906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA317

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION WHICH RESULTED FROM THE PILOT INACCURATELY CALCULATING FUEL CONSUMPTION AND FUEL REQUIREMENTS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - vehicle
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - wall/barricade

## Analysis

DURING THE FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT OF A PRECISION APPROACH RADAR (PAR), THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT ENGINE HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE AND THEN NOTICED THE RIGHT ENGINE LOSING POWER.  THE PILOT SECURED THE RIGHT ENGINE AND ENTERED A POWER OFF FORCED LANDING. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.  DURING THE DESCENT, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR CONTACTED THE TOP OF A BUS. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE DESCENT UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A LANE DIVIDER DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND CAME TO A REST. AN FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT ON SCENE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN ANY OF THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N54339 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Beech 55B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 66-4307
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: U.S. Navy Moffett Field Navy
- Registered owner: U.S. Navy Moffett Field Navy
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: AVX, AVALON, CA
- Destination: NUQ, MOFFETT FIELD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 678 total, 21 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910717027669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910717027669A), Jul 17, 1991: Beech 95B55B, Cupertino, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power both engines on approach to airport. Landed on highway, struck bus and curb. No fuel on board aircraft.

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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