# NTSB NYC89LA078: Beech A-36, N67561, Kennebunk, ME, February 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1989, 11:25 local (16:25 UTC)
- Place: Kennebunk, ME
- Location: 43.3841° N, 70.5442° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kennebunk, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3841&lon=-70.5442&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA078

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS PROPERLY POSITIONED WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT 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 - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE IN CRUISE AT 3,000 FEET A LOSS OF ENG POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED DURING WHICH THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES. THE ENG WAS TEST RUN SATISFACTORILY DURING POST ACCIDENT EXAM. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE TWO TANK POSITIONS (FUEL WOULD NOT FLOW IN THIS POSITION), THE AUX BOOST PUMP WAS OFF AND FUEL WAS PRESENT IN BOTH TANKS. IN ADDITION, A WITNESS INDICATED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT CONDUCT A PREFLIGHT EXAM OF THE ACFT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67561](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67561-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N E1683 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A-36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-1683
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB15 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas N. Tureen
- Registered owner: Thomas N Tureen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1988, 124 hours before
- Departed: PWM, PORTLAND, ME
- Destination: BOS, BOSTON, MA
- Airport: B19

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,550 total, 2,010 in this make and model, 4,550 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19890201001689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890201001689A), Feb 1, 1989: Beech A36, Biddeford, ME, Substantial damage. Airborne 10 minutes en route lost power and crash landed. Fuel selector between tanks. No preflight prior takeoff.

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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