# NTSB NYC90LA078: Beech C-23, N6513Z, Philadelphia, PA, March 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1990, 00:25 local (05:25 UTC)
- Place: Philadelphia, PA
- Coordinates: 39.959426, -75.199104 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9594&lon=-75.1991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA078

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT FUEL WAS ON BOARD FOR THE INTENDED FLIGHT, RESULTING IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DIVERT IN A TIMELY MANNER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED AT NIGHT WITH APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS OF FUEL ON BOARD. HE PICKED UP A CLEARANCE ENROUTE, MADE A MISSED APPROACH DUE TO WEATHER, AND AFTER BEING AIRBORNE FOR 1 HR, 46 MIN, DECLARED A FUEL EMERGENCY. HE WAS VECTORED TO THE ILS AT A VFR AIRPORT, HOWEVER HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER AND MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN A WOODED AREA, APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE SHOWED THE FUEL TANKS EMPTY AND NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6513Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6513Z-1992-09-16), registration cancelled 1992-09-16, S/N M2377 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2377
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronson Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 18N, YORK, PA
- Destination: TTN, TRENTON, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 550 total, 104 in this make and model, 462 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900314004269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900314004269A), Mar 14, 1990: Beech C23, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. Departed at night got IFR clearance. Two hrs after declared low fuel. Diverted, exhausted fuel. Hit trees.

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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