ARCO, ID, USA
N217SD
Beech D17S
The pilot had just completed a flyby at a local air show and was preparing to land. While on final approach to runway 24, the pilot crabbed the aircraft to compensate for a cross wind. During the crab, the aircraft's engine began to run rough and eventually quit. The fuel quantity gauge for the main fuel tank (the selected fuel tank) read one-quarter full. The pilot switched from the main fuel tank to the full auxiliary tank and cycled the primer, but was unable to restart the engine. The aircraft touched down on the edge of a gravel pit, approximately 200 feet short of the runway and nosed over. The pilot estimated that the aircraft's main fuel tank contained approximately one gallon of fuel at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft at the time of the accident. There was no evidence to indicate a preexisting fuel leak.
On July 24, 1999, about 1100 mountain daylight time, a Beech D17S, N217SD, operated by the pilot as a 14CFR91 personal flight, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground and nosed over approximately 200 feet short of Arco-Butte Airport, Arco, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was uninjured. The flight originated from Arco-Butte Airport approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he had just completed a flyby at a local air show and was preparing to land. He stated that while on final approach to runway 24, he crabbed the aircraft to compensate for a cross wind. During the crab, the aircraft's engine began to run rough and eventually quit. The pilot stated the fuel quantity gauge for the main fuel tank (the selected fuel tank) read one-quarter full. He switched from the main tank to the full auxiliary fuel tank and cycled the primer, but was unable to restart the engine. The aircraft touched down on the edge of a gravel pit, approximately 200 feet short of the runway and nosed over. The pilot estimated that the aircraft's main fuel tank contained approximately one gallon of fuel at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft at the time of the accident. Also, the pilot reported there was no evidence to indicate a preexisting fuel leak.
Fuel starvation which resulted in a loss of power. The pilot's improper management of fuel was a factor.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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