LEAKESVILLE, MS, USA
N9902R
BEECH B95
THE FLIGHT LOST POWER IN BOTH ENGINES WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLIES AND ACCESSORIES SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL SELECTORS WERE FOUND IN THE MAIN TANK POSITION. THE UNDAMAGED LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK CONTAINED 7 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE RIGHT TANK WAS DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT AND WAS FOUND EMPTY. EACH CARBURETOR DID NOT CONTAIN FUEL. THE BEECH B95 AIRCRAFT IS RESTRICTED FROM TAKING OFF WITH LESS THAT 13 GALLONS IN EACH MAIN TANK TO PREVENT FUEL INTERRUPTION TO THE ENGINES.
On April 29, 1995, about 1830 central daylight time, a Beech B95, N9902R, registered to Full Gospel Native Missionary Group, crashed while making a forced landing following loss of power in both engines at Leakesville, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot sustained serious injuries. The passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from a private landing strip at Leakesville, Mississippi, shortly before the accident. The pilot stated she was performing touch-and-go landings at a private landing strip. While on final approach for a touch-and-go landing, power was lost in both engines. She made a forced landing in a ravine and the aircraft's left wing struck a tree. The aircraft spun around 180 degrees and came to rest. Postcrash examination of the aircraft was performed by an FAA inspector and representatives of Beech Aircraft Corporation and Lycoming Engines. No evidence to indicate precrash mechanical malfunction or failure of the engine assemblies or accessories was found. Neither of the engine's carburetors contained fuel. Each fuel selector was found in the main tank position. The left main fuel tank contained about 7 gallons of fuel. The right fuel tank leaked after the accident and it was found to be empty. FAA Airworthiness Directive 72-11-02 required that each main fuel tank selector on Beech BE95 aircraft be placarded with the restriction that no takeoffs be performed with less than 13 gallons of fuel in each main tank to prevent engine fuel interruption during maneuvering. Logbook records showed this directive had been complied with at the last annual inspection on November 1, 1993. FAA inspection of the aircraft after the accident indicated the placard was not present on the main fuel selectors. Aircraft logbook records indicated the aircraft last received an annual inspection on November 1, 1993. Federal Aviation Regulations require that this type of aircraft receive an annual inspection each 12 calendar months. Federal Aviation Administration records indicated the pilot last received a medical certificate on October 20, 1987. Federal Aviation Regulations require that a private pilot receive a medical certificate each 24 calendar months. The pilots logbook indicated she last received a biennial flight review on June 9, 1988, when she took the airplane multi-engine rating flight check. Federal Aviation Regulations require that a private pilot receive a biennial flight review each 24 calendar months. The NTSB sent to the pilot an aircraft accident report form. The pilot did not return the completed accident report form as required by NTSB regulations.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER'S LIMITATIONS RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION AND A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER IN BOTH ENGINES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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