AINSWORTH, NE, USA
N6014F
Beech C23
The pilot reported that he performed thorough preflight fuel consumption calculations. The 'first indication of a minimum fuel situation' was when he noticed the right fuel gauge 'deep into the yellow.' He selected the right fuel tank until the gauge indicated empty. The left fuel tank was selected and 1/8 fuel was indicated when the engine lost power. He switched to the right fuel tank and the engine regained power. The engine lost power again. The pilot selected a landing site in a field. On final, he realized that the terrain in the field was sloping about 20 degrees. He turned left to line up with a road and the left wing impacted the road. The airplane departed the right side of the road and descended a steep embankment. It traveled through a fence and came to rest in a flooded field sustaining substantial damage. The pilot and passenger egressed uneventfully.
On June 21, 1996, at 1145 central daylight time, Beech C23, N6014F, sustained substantial during a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power near Ainsworth, Nebraska. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed the Kansas City International Airport, Kansas City, Missouri about 0730 with a planned destination of Ainsworth, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In his written statement the pilot reported that he performed thorough preflight fuel consumption calculations. He switched between fuel tanks every 20 minutes and the "first indication of a minimum fuel situation" was when he noticed the right fuel gauge "deep into the yellow." He calculated that Ainsworth, Nebraska was the closest airport. He selected the right fuel tank until the gauge indicated empty. The left fuel tank was selected and 1/8 fuel was indicated when the engine lost power. He switched to the right fuel tank and the engine regained power. The engine lost power again. The pilot selected a landing site in a field. On final, he realized that the terrain in the field was sloping about 20 degrees. He turned left to line up with a road and the left wing impacted the road. The airplane departed the right side of the road and descended a steep embankment. It traveled through a fence and came to rest in a flooded field. The pilot and passenger egressed uneventfully. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the airplane reported that he drained about 1 pint of fuel from the main fuel drain, one pint from the left main fuel tank, and 1/2 pint from the right main fuel tank.
the pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations which led to fuel exhaustion and the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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