# NTSB NYC91LA139: Beech BE-23-B24R, N6968R, Caribou, ME, May 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1991, 17:24 local (21:24 UTC)
- Place: Caribou, ME
- Location: 46.8606° N, 68.0120° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Caribou, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8606&lon=-68.0120&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA139

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP, WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DECISION BY THE PILOT TO TAKEOFF WITH KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES; THE PILOT'S HARD LANDING DURING THE FORCED LANDING; AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,pump - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - touchdown - abrupt, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 6500 FEET, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, BUT DID NOT FLARE THE AIRPLANE PROPERLY AND HIT THE GROUND VERY HARD.  THE ENGINE HAD CAUSED SOME PROBLEMS FOR THE PILOT BEFORE TAKEOFF, BUT HE DETERMINED IT WAS OPERATING SATISFACTORILY, AFTER SEVERAL FULL POWER RUN UPS.  THE FAA FOUND THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP WAS MALFUNCTIONING, RESULTING IN FUEL SYSTEM CAVITATION AND EVENTUAL FUEL STARVATION.  IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FAA AND THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE AUXILIARY FUEL BOOST PUMP MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO RESTORE FUEL PRESSURE FAST ENOUGH FOR THE PILOT TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHILE EXECUTING THE FORCED LANDING.  AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE PILOT CONCENTRATED ON THE EMERGENCY LANDING.  THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MODEL OF 3.5 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6968R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6968R-1991-08-14), registration cancelled 1991-08-14, S/N MC321 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-23-B24R
- Registry model: [Beech B24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b24r) (registry code 1151253) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-321
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Skyline Aviation Corp.
- Registered owner: Andham Aerocorp Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FVE, FRENCHVILLE, ME
- Destination: PWM, PORTLAND, ME
- Airport: FVE, Frenchville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 802 total, 4 in this make and model, 778 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °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 19910523021799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910523021799A), May 23, 1991: Beech B24R, Frenchville, ME, Substantial damage. Lost fuel pressure. Bounced 60 feet in air on forced landing. Engine fuel pump foreign object jammed valve open.

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.