# NTSB MIA89FA078: Beech A23-24, N3697Q, Clearwater, FL, February 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1989, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Location: 27.9772° N, 82.7591° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CLEARWATER EXEC (CLW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9772&lon=-82.7591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA078

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE CFI DEPLETING THE FUEL SUPPLY FROM ONE OF TWO TANKS AND FAILING TO SELECT THE FULLEST TANK FOR LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CFI'S IMPROPER DECISION TO TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT WHEN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE WAS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

ON FINAL APCH AFTER A TRNG FLT, AN ACFT WAS STILL ON THE RWY, SO CFI TOLD 30 HR STUDENT PLT TO GO-ARND. POWER WAS APPLIED & WITNESSES ON GRND HEARD ENG REV UP OK. ABOUT 1/2 WAY DOWN RWY AT ABOUT 200 FT, THE ENG SPUTTERED & CFI TRIED A 180 DEG TURN BACK TO RWY. ACFT HIT FENCES AND CONST MATERIAL & BURST INTO FLAMES. FUEL SEL WAS FOUND OUT OF DETENT BUT ON LT TANK WHICH HOLDS 30 GALS, 26 GALS USABLE. THE ACFT BURNS ABOUT 8 GPH & HAD FLOWN FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 4 HRS SINCE TOPPED OFF TO 60 GALS CAPACITY. NO FUEL FOUND IN FUEL MANIFOLD & ENG WAS TEST RUN OK AFTER ACCIDENT. LT WING TANK AREA HAD LESS FIRE DAMAGE THAN RT WING AREA WHICH CONTAINED MORE FUEL. THE STU PLT RECALLED THE FUEL SEL BEING ON THE LT TANK; THE CFI SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS ON THE RT TANK. THE CFI STATED THAT HE HAD NO RECOLLECTION AFTER THE ENG QUIT EXCEPT BEING IN A CHOPPER ON THE WAY TO A HOSPITAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3697Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3697Q-1992-01-30), registration cancelled 1992-01-30, S/N MA280 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23-24
- Registry model: [Beech A23-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-24) (registry code 1151226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MA-280
- Airframe hours: 1856
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1989, 25 hours before
- Departed: CLW, CLEARWATER, FL
- Airport: CLW, Clearwater, runway 33, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,000 total, 35 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 6 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 19890204015839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890204015839A), Feb 4, 1989: Beech A2324, Clearwater, FL, Destroyed. Left selected fuel tank ran out during go around from a blocked runway. Tried to return,hit fence and stacked pipes

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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