# NTSB MKC86FPG01: Beech F33A, N20537, West Memphis, AR, January 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1986, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: West Memphis, AR
- Coordinates: 35.199012, -90.199516 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1990&lon=-90.1995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FPG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FPG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE GROUND AFTER STRIKING TREES DURING A FORCED LNDG. THE ACFT HAD EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER DURING CRUISE AFTER 4 AND 1/2 HRS OF FLT. POST ACC INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE RT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS ALMOST EMPTY OF FUEL AND THE LEFT MAIN HAD AN EST 10 GALLONS IN IT. WHEN QUESTIONED THE PLT COULD NOT REMEMBER WHICH TANK HE SELECTED BUT SAID IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FULLEST. THE SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON THE LEFT TANK POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N20537 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Beech F33A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE-831
- Airframe hours: 1205
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: James Noel Trometer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1985, 39 hours before
- Departed: CLR, CLEARWATER, FL
- Destination: IXD, KANSAS CITY, KS
- Airport: AWM, West Memphis, runway 17, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 621 total, 406 in this make and model, 342 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 130 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 19860111000439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860111000439A), Jan 11, 1986: Beech F33A, West Memphis, AR, Substantial damage. Indications are fuel was exhausted in selected tank. Too low for restart. Struck trees during forced landing.

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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