# NTSB SEA93LA051: Beech 58P, N550TH, Hanksville, UT, January 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1993, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Hanksville, UT
- Coordinates: 38.270553, -110.750137 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2706&lon=-110.7501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA051

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPER FUEL SELECTOR VALVE POSITION, FUEL STARVATION, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE SOFT, ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISING FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES INDICATED A FUEL IMBALANCE. AS THE IMBALANCE INDICATION BECAME GREATER, THE PILOT BEGAN TO SEARCH FOR A SUITABLE NEARBY ALTERNATE. FINDING THE NEAREST ALTERNATE TO BE BELOW APPROACH MINIMUMS, AND BEING CONVINCED THAT THE IMBALANCE WAS ONLY AN INDICATION PROBLEM, HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE ON TO THE ORIGINAL DESTINATION. WHEN BOTH ENGINES QUIT, THE LEFT GAUGE WAS AT 0, AND THE RIGHT GAUGE WAS INDICATING NEAR FULL. DURING THE RESTART ATTEMPTS, THE PILOT FAILED TO SELECT EITHER ENGINE TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS LATER FOUND TO CONTAIN FUEL. WHEN EXAMINED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, THE POSITION OF BOTH FUEL VALVES CORRECTLY MATCHED THE POSITION OF THE CORRESPONDING FUEL SELECTOR LEVER. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION, DAMAGE, OR DISCREPANCIES WITH EITHER VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N550TH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TJ-385
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Montelena Associates Limited
- Registered owner: Montelena Associates Limited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1993
- Departed: O41, WOODLAND, CA
- Destination: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HVE, Hanksville Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,758 total, 211 in this make and model, 3,008 as pilot in command, 151 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °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 19930114000549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930114000549A), Jan 14, 1993: Beech 58P, Hanksville, UT, Substantial damage. Lost power on approach to nearest airport due fuel imbalance. Landed short.

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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