# NTSB SEA99LA127: Beech D17S, N217SD, Arco, ID, July 24, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1999, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Arco, ID - Coordinates: 43.650009, -113.280784 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6500&lon=-113.2808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46987 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46987/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA127 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation which resulted in a loss of power. The pilot's improper management of fuel was a 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 - final approach - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot had just completed a flyby at a local air show and was preparing to land. While on final approach to runway 24, the pilot crabbed the aircraft to compensate for a cross wind. During the crab, the aircraft's engine began to run rough and eventually quit. The fuel quantity gauge for the main fuel tank (the selected fuel tank) read one-quarter full. The pilot switched from the main fuel tank to the full auxiliary tank and cycled the primer, but was unable to restart the engine. The aircraft touched down on the edge of a gravel pit, approximately 200 feet short of the runway and nosed over. The pilot estimated that the aircraft's main fuel tank contained approximately one gallon of fuel at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft at the time of the accident. There was no evidence to indicate a preexisting fuel leak. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 1999, about 1100 mountain daylight time, a Beech D17S, N217SD, operated by the pilot as a 14CFR91 personal flight, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground and nosed over approximately 200 feet short of Arco-Butte Airport, Arco, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was uninjured. The flight originated from Arco-Butte Airport approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he had just completed a flyby at a local air show and was preparing to land. He stated that while on final approach to runway 24, he crabbed the aircraft to compensate for a cross wind. During the crab, the aircraft's engine began to run rough and eventually quit. The pilot stated the fuel quantity gauge for the main fuel tank (the selected fuel tank) read one-quarter full. He switched from the main tank to the full auxiliary fuel tank and cycled the primer, but was unable to restart the engine. The aircraft touched down on the edge of a gravel pit, approximately 200 feet short of the runway and nosed over. The pilot estimated that the aircraft's main fuel tank contained approximately one gallon of fuel at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft at the time of the accident. Also, the pilot reported there was no evidence to indicate a preexisting fuel leak. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N217SD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N217SD), registered now, S/N 3098, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech D17S - Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3098 - Airframe hours: 2400 - Engines: P&W R985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Todd J. Therp - Registered owner: John Bagley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1999, 32 hours before - Departed: AOC - Destination: AOC - Airport: AOC, Arco-Butte County, runway 24, 6,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,132 total, 9 in this make and model, 1,039 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 10 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19990724044159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990724044159A), Jul 24, 1999: Beech D17S, Arco, ID, No damage. (-23)On July 24, A999, approximately 1050 MDT, a Beechcraft 17S staggerwing, N217SD, impacted the terrain while on a long final approach on runway 24 at Arco,… ## Other investigations on N217SD (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 ATL87LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA048), Dec 20, 1986: Beech D-17-S (N217SD), Louisville, KY, substantial damage 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.