# NTSB WPR14LA117: Beech A45, N666, Hollister, CA, February 22, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 2014, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Hollister, CA - Coordinates: 36.8875, -121.416114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8875&lon=-121.4161&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Continental Motors Inc., Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88827 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88827/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88827 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA117 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and improper fuel management. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1152006), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A45, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1152006), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=1152006), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A45, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1152006), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Beech A45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=1152006), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech A45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1152006), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech A45, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1152006), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, before the accident flight, he conducted a preflight inspection but that he did not verify the fuel level in each fuel tank. During the initial climb, the engine lost power, and the pilot then performed a 180-degree turn toward a field adjacent to the runway. About halfway through the turn, he realized that insufficient altitude existed to complete the turn, and he subsequently initiated a forced landing on a road. The airplane landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Wreckage recovery personnel reported that they removed less than 2 gallons of fuel from the left wing fuel tank and more than 10 gallons of fuel from the right wing fuel tank. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left wing fuel tank. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the engine lost power due to fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 2014, about 1345 Pacific standard time, a Beech A45, N666, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from the Hollister Municipal Airport (CVH), Hollister, California. The airplane was registered to private individuals and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Palo Alto, California. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that prior to the accident flight, he had flown from Palo Alto to CVH to meet a friend and conduct a practice formation flight. During the flight to CVH, he had the left fuel tank selected. The pilot stated that following an uneventful formation flight, they returned to CVH to have lunch and debrief the flight. The pilot added that he thought he had the right fuel tank selected during the formation flight, which was over an hour in length. Following lunch, the pilot and his friend decided to perform a formation takeoff. The pilot stated that during takeoff initial climb from runway 24, the engine lost power at an altitude of about 100 to 200 feet above ground level and he decided to perform a 180-degree turn toward a planted field adjacent to the runway. About halfway through the 180-degree turn, the pilot decided he did not have enough altitude to complete the turn and leveled the wings. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on an open road. The pilot further stated that he had the fuel selector positioned on the left fuel tank for his return flight to Palo Alto. The pilot further reported that each fuel tank held 25-gallons of fuel, which allowed for about 2 hours of flight time per fuel tank. He noted within the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) that at the time of takeoff, he had 25 gallons of fuel on board the airplane. During a post-accident interview, the pilot stated that prior to the accident flight; he did conduct a preflight inspection on the airplane, however, did not check the fuel level in each fuel tank. Examination of the airplane by first responders revealed that the engine was partially separated and the fuselage was structurally damaged. First responders reported that they found the fuel selector valve handle positioned to the left fuel tank. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. Examination of the recovered wreckage by the NTSB IIC revealed that both wings and right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were removed previously to facilitate transport of the wreckage. The engine remained partially attached to the airframe and was displaced downward. Throttleand mixture control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to their respective engine attach points. The fuel inlet line from the firewall was disconnected to facilitate testing of the fuel selector valve. The fuel selector valve was placed in the "left" position and compressed air was applied to the fuel inlet line at the left wing fuselage attach point. Air was felt expelling from the firewall fuel inlet line and the left wing fuel vent line. The left wing was intact and mostly undamaged. To facilitate testing the fuel tank, the fuel return line was capped off using a plastic cap. Compressed air was applied to the fuel outlet line at the wing root. Compressed air was felt expelling from the fuel drain when the drain valve was opened. No evidence of any leaks was noted. Examination of the Teledyne Continental Motors O-470-13A engine revealed that all accessories and cylinders remained attached to their respective mounts. All fuel and oil lines were intact and undamaged. The engine oil screen was removed and found to be free of debris. The crankshaft was rotated by hand using a hand tool attached to the crankshaft propeller flange. Rotational continuity was established throughout the engine and valve train and thumb compression was obtained on all six cylinders. Postaccident examination of the recovered airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The wreckage recovery company reported that during recovery of the airplane, they removed less than 2 gallons of fuel from the left wing fuel tank and in excess of 10 gallons from the right wing fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N666](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N666), registered now, S/N G-264, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A45 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Beech A45](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a45) (registry code 1152006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: GM-141 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 8800 - Engines: Continental Motors O-470-13A 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John D Forter - Registered owner: John D Forter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 2014, 2 hours before - Departed: CVH, Hollister, CA - Destination: Palo Alto, CA - Airport: CVH, Hollister Muni, runway 24, 3,150 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 21, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,690 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,557 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KSNS, 16 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 20140222013879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140222013879A), Feb 22, 2014: Beech A45, Hollister, CA, Destroyed. At approximately 1354 hours local time, N666 took off from cvh using runway 24. The aircraft immediately lost power after takeoff and forced landed… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88827. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 773 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412972&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Email Communication with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20Communication%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Wreckage Examination Summary (item 3, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Wreckage%20Examination%20Summary-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Continental Motors Inc. Engine Field Inspection Report (item 5, .PDF, 56 photos, 772 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continental%20Motors%20Inc.%20Engine%20Field%20Inspection%20Report-Redacted.PDF 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.