# NTSB MIA08CA192: Beech G-36, N710ND, Erie, PA, September 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2008, 17:08 local (21:08 UTC) - Place: Erie, PA - Coordinates: 42.081943, -80.176109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0819&lon=-80.1761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Allegheny FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68929 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68929/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA192 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper preflight inspection of the fuel caps and his improper inflight fuel management, which led to a loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Approach: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated the airplane was topped off with fuel before departing, and he did not have any problems in opening or closing the fuel caps during the preflight inspection. He switched the fuel tanks every 30 minutes while en-route and did not notice any siphoning of fuel. Air traffic control cleared the flight to descend about 30 to 45 miles from the destination airport. The pilot elected to remain on the right main fuel tank since the fuel gauges indicated it had the most amount of fuel. The controller cleared the flight for a visual approach to runway 6 and the engine stopped about one half mile from the airport. The pilot immediately switched the fuel tanks, and attempted an engine restart, which was unsuccessful. He flared the airplane high over the runway. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and landed hard again. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the right wing. A mechanic who examined the airplane stated that a lanyard holding the fuel cap down interfered with the latch and that the cap may not have been seated properly, leading to a fuel leak. Blue fluid staining was present in the vicinity of the right main fuel cap and aft section of the right wing. The right fuel tank was de-fueled and about one quart of fuel was present. The left main fuel tank was de-fueled and about 18 gallons of fuel was present. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated the airplane was topped off with fuel before departing, and he did not have any problems in opening or closing the fuel caps during the preflight inspection He switched the fuel tanks every 30 minutes while en-route and did not notice any siphoning of fuel. Air traffic control cleared the flight to descend about 30 to 45 miles from the destination airport. The pilot elected to remain on the right main fuel tank since the fuel gauges indicated it had the most amount of fuel. The controller cleared the flight for a visual approach to runway 6 and the engine stopped about one half mile from the airport. The pilot immediately switched the fuel tanks, and attempted an engine restart, which was unsuccessful. He flared the airplane high over the runway. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and landed hard again, Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the right wing. . A mechanic who examined the airplane stated a lanyard, which holds the fuel cap down interfered with the latch, and the cap may not have been seated properly leading to the fuel leak. Blue fluid staining was present in the vicinity of the right main fuel cap and aft section of the right wing. The right fuel tank was de-fueled and about one quart of fuel was present. The left main fuel tank was de-fueled and about 18 gallons of fuel was present. ## Aircraft - Registration: N710ND (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BEECH G-36 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E3751 - Airframe hours: 233 - Engines: Continental IO-550 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joseph F. Trustey - Registered owner: Trustey Management Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2008, 83 hours before - Departed: BOS, Boston, MA - Destination: ERI, Erie, PA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ERI, Erie International Airport, runway 06, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 469 total, 251 in this make and model, 362 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: ERI ## 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 20080911846539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080911846539A), Sep 11, 2008: Raythn G36, Erie, PA, No damage. (-23)On September 11, 2008 at approximately 1708 eastern time, N710ND was on final approach for runway 6 to Erie international airport (keri), Erie,… 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.