# NTSB LAX98LA015: Beech D17S, N67736, Chino, CA, October 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 1997, 19:25 local (Oct 20, 1997, 02:25 UTC) - Place: Chino, CA - Coordinates: 34.000179, -117.679794 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0002&lon=-117.6798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29979 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29979/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA015 ## Probable cause fuel starvation resulting from the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and improper fuel management. Contributing factors were the nighttime conditions and the rough/uneven terrain. ## 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 - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - light condition - bright night (contributing factor) - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced during the 30-minute-long nighttime flight in his 1943 model 'Stagger Wing' airplane. During the flight he had switched fuel tanks several times. Upon turning onto the final approach leg at the destination airport the center fuel tank's low fuel pressure warning light activated. Thereafter, the fuel pressure decreased and all engine power was lost. The pilot further reported that he switched tanks and used the wobble pump but to no avail as the airplane developed a high sink rate. The pilot made a forced landing into a plowed field and collided with dirt berms about 1/2 mile short of the runway. During the airframe examination no fuel was found in the two upper wing tanks, the center fuselage tank, or in the lower wing's right tank. Approximately 10 gallons of fuel was observed in the lower wing's left tank. Airplane operating procedures required the pilot to have the fuel selector positioned toward the center fuel tank during takeoffs and landings. The lower wing tanks are only to be used during level flight. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 1997, at 1925 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech D17S, N67736, operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power approaching runway 26L at the Chino Airport, Chino, California. The pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field and collided with dirt berms about 1/2 mile short of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the airline transport certificated pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the nighttime personal flight which originated from Carlsbad, California, at 1855. According to the pilot, upon takeoff the airplane held between 27 and 28 gallons of fuel. The fuel consumption rate was about 21 gallons per hour. While en route he had switched fuel tanks several times, and no mechanical malfunctions were experienced. The pilot reported that approaching the destination airport he had again switched fuel tanks. The pilot descended and entered the traffic pattern. Upon turning onto the final approach leg the center fuel tank's low fuel pressure warning light activated. Thereafter, the fuel pressure decreased and all engine power was lost. The pilot further reported that he switched tanks and "wobble pumped frantically, but to no avail." The airplane developed a high sink rate and he was too low to glide to the airport. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, during its on-scene examination of the 1943 model "Stagger Wing" airplane, no fuel was found in the two upper wing tanks, the center fuselage tank, or in the lower wing's right tank. Approximately 10 gallons of fuel was observed in the lower wing's left tank. Airplane operating procedures require the pilot to have the fuel selector positioned toward the center fuel tank during takeoffs and landings. The lower wing tanks are only to be used during level flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67736](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67736), registered now, S/N 4848, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech D17S - Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4848 - Airframe hours: 3753 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Archie G. Lane - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1997, 70 hours before - Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA - Destination: CNO - Airport: CNO, Chino, runway 26L, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,715 total, 68 in this make and model, 7,831 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 230° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CNO, 1 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 19971020031439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971020031439A), Oct 20, 1997: Beech D17S, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. Acft lost power and landed short of the rwyin a field, Chino, CA. (.4)the pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced during the… 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.