# NTSB NYC05LA130: Raytheon A36, N838DM, Nashua, NH, August 7, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 2005, 20:10 local (Aug 7, 2005, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Nashua, NH - Coordinates: 42.790554, -71.52861 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7906&lon=-71.5286&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Portland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62148/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and subsequent collision with trees during a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power, and subsequently impacted trees during the ensuing forced landing. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Both fuel tanks were compromised; however, there was no evidence of a fuel spill in the area surrounding the accident site. At the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated for about 95 total hours, and 10 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 4 months prior to the accident. The airplane was owned by the pilot and sold about 5 months prior the accident. With regard to the accident, the pilot informed the new owner and a mechanic that the airplane did not have any mechanical problems, and he thought that he could make it back to his home airport when he experienced a power loss due to fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 2005, about 2010 eastern daylight time, a Raytheon A36, N838DM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Nashua, New Hampshire. The certificated commercial pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Laconia, New Hampshire, destined for Worcester (ORH), Massachusetts. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was owned by the pilot, and based at ORH. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that he departed Laconia with the fuel gages indicating that the right fuel tank was 1/2 full, and the left fuel tank was 1/4 full. The pilot added that he intended to top off the fuel tanks when he returned to ORH. The takeoff was normal, however, approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, with the fuel selector selected to the left fuel tank, he noticed the right fuel tank was dropping. The pilot attempted to land at Boire Field, Nashua, New Hampshire; however, the engine experienced a total power loss, and the airplane impacted trees, about 1/2-mile northwest of the airport. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. The inspector noted that both fuel tanks were compromised, and there was no evidence of a fuel spill in the area surrounding the accident site. At the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated for about 95 total hours, and 10 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on March 3, 2005. The pilot did not submit the required NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form for the accident. According to FAA records, the pilot sold the airplane on March 9, 2006. With regard to the accident, the pilot informed the new owner and a mechanic that the airplane did not have any mechanical problems and he thought he could make it back to his home airport, when he experienced a power loss due to fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: N838DM (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Raytheon A36 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-3410 - Airframe hours: 95 - Engines: Teledyne Continental IO-550 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David Massad - Registered owner: Diamond Chevrolet Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2006, 10 hours before - Departed: LCI, Laconia, NH - Destination: ORH, Worcester, MA - Airport: ASH, Boire ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 0° at 4 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: ASH, 1 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 20050806019119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050806019119A), Aug 6, 2005: Beech A36, Nashua, NH, Destroyed. (-23) A/c departed lci enroute to orh. Approximately 10 minutes into flight at 3500', the aircraft started to lose power. Pilot diverted to ash and was… 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.