BUFFALO, NY, USA
N1072W
Beech 55B
The pilot reported that he was cleared for takeoff on runway 14, and he applied full power for takeoff. At rotation, approximately 104 knots, the right engine lost power. He lowered the nose, applied full left rudder, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway. The airplane collided with two taxiway signs, the right main gear sheared off, and the airplane came to rest opposite the direction of travel. He said he departed with the fuel selectors on the main tank position, and that he turned off all the switches before exiting the airplane. An FAA Inspector reported that he found the fuel selectors positioned to the auxiliary tanks. The right auxiliary fuel tank was drained and contained 3.5 gallons of fuel. According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, '...Takeoff and land on main fuel tanks only...Do not take off if Fuel Quantity Gages indicate in Yellow Arc or with less than 13 gallons in each main tank...' The pilot reported that he had approximately 56 gallons on board, 1/4 in the auxiliary fuel tanks and 3/4 in the main fuel tanks. The engine was test run after the accident and it operated satisfactory.
On February 18, 1998, at 1500 eastern standard time, a Beech 55B, N1072W, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during an aborted takeoff climb at the Greater Buffalo International Airport, Buffalo, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot and five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The charter flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated at Teterboro, New Jersey. The intended destination was Rochester, New York. The pilot reported that he completed a preflight inspection. He said that he was cleared for takeoff on runway 14, and he applied full power for takeoff. At rotation, approximately 104 knots, the airplane veered to the right. He said he applied full left rudder, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway. The airplane collided with two taxiway signs, the right main gear sheared off, and the airplane came to rest opposite the direction of travel. There were several witnesses in the Fixed Base Operator Office on the field, who reported that they saw the airplane become airborne. One of the witnesses said, "...I looked out the window and seen aircraft about 20 to 30 feet in the air turn to his (aircraft) right and start to descend while rolling towards its side. The aircraft hit the ground, right wing first, skidded to its right, spun around facing the way it came..." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector reported that examination of the accident site revealed that the first ground scar began at taxiway Quebec. The scars were similar in size and shape to the right wing tip. The Inspector said that the airplane did not strike any signs between taxiway Romeo and Quebec. There were other ground scars, similar in size and shape to the right main landing and nose gear, off the right side of the runway. The pilot reported that he departed with the fuel selectors on the main tank position, and that he turned off all the switches before exiting the airplane. The FAA Inspector reported that he found the fuel selectors in the Auxiliary positions after the accident. The pilot reported that he had approximately 56 gallons on board, 1/4 in the auxiliary fuel tanks and 3/4 in the main fuel tanks. The pilot reported over 5,000 hours of total flight experience, including 115 hours in make and model. According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, "...Takeoff and land on main fuel tanks only...Do not take off if Fuel Quantity Gages indicate in Yellow Arc or with less than 13 gallons in each main tank... ." The aircraft was removed from the accident site and examined under the supervision of the FAA. The right auxiliary fuel tank was drained and it contained 3.5 gallons of fuel. The engine was test run and it operated satisfactory.
Improper use of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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