# NTSB MKC85LA005: Beech A36, N1890L, North Platte, NE, October 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1984, 19:59 local (Oct 25, 1984, 00:59 UTC)
- Place: North Platte, NE
- Coordinates: 41.129058, -100.769691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1291&lon=-100.7697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33877
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33877/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA005

## 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)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN USING FUEL FROM THE RT WING FUEL TANK TO COMPENSATE FOR A LATERAL IMBALANCE DURING THE FLT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE RT TANK WHEN THE ENG FAILED. THE PLT SAID HE SWITCHED TANKS AFTER THE ENG FAILED BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG BEFORE IMPACTING THE GND. EXAM OF THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK, THE RT TANK WAS EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1890L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E860
- Airframe hours: 1874
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stewart Emery
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1984, 14 hours before
- Departed: FWA, FT. WAYNE, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LBF, Lee Bird Field, runway 30R, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,460 total, 2,380 in this make and model, 152 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBF

## 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 19841024060639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841024060639A), Oct 24, 1984: Beech A36, North Platte, NE, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion right tank. Switched tanks, unable to restart. Right tank fuel float binding.

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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