HOLLISTER, CA, USA
N566KK
BEECH D95A
THE TWIN ENGINE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE CFI ASSUMED THE CONTROLS AND BEGAN THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. THE CFI DISCOVERED THE DUAL STUDENT HAD SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTORS TO THE OFF POSITION WHILE COMPLETING THE BEFORE LANDING CHECKLIST. THE CFI STATED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINING TO ATTEMPT AN ENGINE START. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN A CULTIVATED FIELD. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY EDGE DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
On November 9, 1993, at 1350 hours Pacific standard time (PST), a Beech D95A, N566KK, collided with terrain short of runway 31 at the Hollister Municipal Airport, Hollister, California, after a reported loss of power to both engines. The airplane was being operated by California In Nice, Inc., as an instructional flight under 14CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight originated from the Reid-Hillview Airport, San Jose, California, about 1250 hours PST. The CFI reported to the Federal Aviation Administration that while on the downwind leg of the Hollister Municipal Airport traffic pattern, he noted a high rate of descent. The CFI took control of the airplane from the student pilot and pushed the throttle levers forward to increase power. The engines did not respond to the throttle application. After the engines did not respond, the CFI began the emergency procedure and determined the fuel selector valves were in the off position. The CFI decided there was insufficient altitude remaining to attempt an engine restart and tried to reach runway 31 in a power off glide. The airplane touched down short of the runway in a cultivated field. The airplane rolled toward the edge of the runway and the nose gear caught the runway and collapsed. The CFI indicated the runway edge was about one inch high. The CFI indicated that the fuel selector valve on the Beech D95A is not visible from the right seat and its position must be determined by feel. The CFI further indicated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane and the fuel selector valves were most likely placed in the off position by the student pilot during the before landing checklist.
THE IMPROPER POSITION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH BY THE DUAL STUDENT DURING THE BEFORE LANDING CHECKLIST AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI. FUEL STARVATION TO BOTH ENGINES WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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