# NTSB NYC93LA069: Beech E-55, N777EV, Leesburg, VA, April 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1993, 20:45 local (Apr 5, 1993, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Leesburg, VA
- Location: 39.0898° N, 77.5682° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from LEESBURG EXEC (JYO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0898&lon=-77.5682&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37299
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37299/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA069

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTORS, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND LOSS OF POWER IN BOTH ENGINES.  DARKNESS WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REFUELED THE MAIN TANKS, BUT DID NOT REFUEL THE AUXILIARY TANKS.  WHILE APPROACHING HER DESTINATION AIRPORT AND USING THE AUXILIARY TANKS, SHE EXPERIENCED A DOUBLE POWER LOSS.  SHE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE ENGINES RESTARTED.  DURING AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SMALL BUILDING AND A SECURITY FENCE.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE AUXILIARY TANKS WERE INTACT WITH NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE AND THAT THEY WERE EMPTY.  THE RIGHT MAIN TANK HAD 20 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING; THE LEFT MAIN HAD BEEN RUPTURED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND WAS EMPTY.  FUEL WAS FOUND ON THE GROUND AROUND THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777EV-2010-02-18), registration cancelled 2010-02-18, S/N TE-871 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E-55
- Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-871
- Airframe hours: 3111
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beverly D. Sharp
- Registered owner: Zeus Enterprises, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1992, 43 hours before
- Departed: ORF, NORFOLK, VA
- Destination: JYO
- Airport: JYO, Leesburg Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 905 total, 41 in this make and model, 818 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 9 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 19930404007799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930404007799A), Apr 4, 1993: Beech E55, Leesburg, VA, Substantial damage. Ran aux tanks dry en route. Unable restart on mains. Landed short of airport. Struck small building and fence.

## Other investigations on N777EV (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC08CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA072), Dec 13, 2007: Beech BE-55 (N777EV), Lancaster, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to fly with known deficiencies in equipment, and the…

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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