# NTSB WPR17LA070: Beech F33A, N222EN, Pomona, CA, February 16, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 15, 2017, 18:34 local (Feb 16, 2017, 02:34 UTC) - Place: Pomona, CA - Coordinates: 34.066665, -117.75 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0667&lon=-117.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Continental Motors Inc. - NTSB case key (mKey): 94796 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94796/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA070 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech F33A, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151425), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on a cross-country flight with no discrepancies noted during the flight. When the flight arrived near the destination airport, the engine quit. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the engine, but it did not restart. He diverted to an alternate nearby airport but had to perform an emergency off-airport landing. The pilot set up for landing, but because of the darkness he was not able to see exactly where to land. During the landing, the airplane struck a fence and seating area. The pilot reported approximately 40-45 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and tail section of the airplane. An engine examination and engine ground run were performed, with no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation or production of horsepower. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2017, about 1834 Pacific standard time, a Beechcraft F33A, N222EN, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pomona, California. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that he was on a cross-country flight from Selma Airport (0Q4), Selma, California, to Cable Airport (CCB), Upland, California. During cruise flight, the engine lost power and the pilot made an emergency landing to the Pomona Fairplex Fairgrounds, Pomona. The pilot reported that he had filed a visual flight rules (CFR) flight plan. He estimated that he had 40-45 gallons of fuel on board the airplane at the time of the forced landing. According to the pilot's written statement, about 10 miles from his destination the Southern California (SoCal) approach controller terminated radar services with the pilot. Up to that point, and a little beyond, the flight had been uneventful. The pilot reported that close to the north boundary for Brackett Field Airport (POC), Laverne, California, Class D airspace, the engine without warning "stumbled, shuddered, and stopped making power." The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the engine without success. He further stated that he noticed a drop in manifold pressure, but the engine didn’t completely quit. He then decided to divert to POC and set up for an emergency landing. The pilot radioed his intent and the POC controller cleared him to land. The pilot knew there was a drag strip and parking lot close to POC, and as he approached the airport, he realized he wasn’t going to make the runway. He set up to land off airport at the fairgrounds; he lowered the landing gear and because of the darkness he couldn’t see exactly where to land. The airplane struck a fence and a seating area. The main landing gear was sheared off and the right-wing leading edge was damaged. After he exited the airplane, he reported a fuel leak. An engine examination and engine test run were performed with no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and production of horsepower. The engine remained attached to the airframe and the three-bladed propeller remained attached at to the propeller hub and engine. The left side of the engine induction and exhaust systems exhibited impact damage. The mixture control vapor return fitting had broken. The top spark plugs were removed and exhibited normal operating signatures. The cylinders were borescoped with no anomalies noted. The fuel pump was removed, and the drive manually rotated with no binding; the drive coupling was intact. To facilitate the engine-run, the left side induction system was replaced, and the left side exhaust was removed. The fuel pump and spark plugs were reinstalled and the broken fitting for the mixture control was replaced. The engine and airframe were secured for the engine run and an external fuelsupply was plumbed to the airplanes fuel system at the left-wing root. After adjustments were made, the engine started normally and allowed to warm up. Once the engine had warmed up, the engine’s throttle was slowly advanced to 2150 rpm. A magneto check was performed at 1200 rpm with a drop of 75 rpm noted for each magneto. Engine instruments were in the green arcs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N222EN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222EN-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N CE-744, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH F33A (A) - Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-744 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 4515.8 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B4F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 2016, 11 hours before - Departed: 0Q4, SELMA, CA - Destination: CCB, UPLAND, CA - Airport: POC, Pomona - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Heads up display, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,298 total, 414 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: POC, 1 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 20170215002609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170215002609A), Feb 15, 2017: Beechcraft F33A, Pomona, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot indicated that he departed selma, California (0Q4) at approximately 1722 hours PST and climbed to 5000 feet MSL, then went to 9500 MSL. He also indicated… 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.