# NTSB MKC90LA033: Beech A24R, N8074R, Richmond, MN, November 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1989, 17:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, MN
- Coordinates: 45.449195, -94.51049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4492&lon=-94.5105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA033

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR BY THE PILOT AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AFTER A FUEL TANK HAD EMPTIED.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: INOPERATIVE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGES, PILOT'S OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN THE AIRCRAFT, DARK NIGHT, TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHEN THE X-COUNTRY BEGAN, THE VACUUM SYS & COMM RADIOS WERE INOP, BUT OTHERWISE, THE INITIAL LEG OF THE FLT WAS NORMAL. THE PLT CHECKED THAT THE ACFT LGTS WERE OPERG FOR THE RTRN FLT, BUT HE NOTED THE FUEL GAUGES INDCD EMPTY (ALTHOUGH THE ACFT HAD BEEN FULLY SVCD WITH FUEL). AT ABT SUNSET ON THE RTRN FLT, THE ELECTRICAL SYS BCM INOP & THE NORMAL LNDG GEAR EXTN SYS & FLAPS WOULD NOT OPERATE. ABOUT 15 MIN LATER, AS THE ACFT WAS NEARING ITS DESTN, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT MANUALLY EXTENDED THE LNDG GEAR, USING HIS FLASHLIGHT TO MONITOR THE AIRSPEED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR & TRIED TO RESTART THE ENG, BUT WAS UNABLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, A CRASH LNDG WAS MADE AT THE TOP OF A RIVER BANK AT NIGHT. DRG AN INVESTIGATION, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO AN EMPTY TANK & THE OTHER TANK STILL CONTAINED USABLE FUEL. THE PLT HAD ACCUMULATED ABT 7 HRS OF FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT, ALL ON THE DAY OF THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8074R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A24R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-43
- Airframe hours: 2763
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Muhs, David P., doing business as Minnetonka, Aviation
- Registered owner: Muhs, David P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 22, 1988
- Departed: SPF, SPEARFISH, SD
- Destination: STC, ST CLOUD, MN
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 10 nm away

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.