Chattanooga, TN, USA
N10TM
Beech B90
Prior to departing, the pilot looked at the fuel quantity indicators, and believed that approximately 3 hours of fuel was available for the estimated 1 hour 20 minute flight. Upon reaching the cruise portion of the flight, the pilot realized that an insufficient quantity of fuel remained in order to complete the planned flight, and he elected to divert to a closer airport. While on final approach to the diversionary airport, both engines lost power, and the pilot made a forced landing to a parking lot. When asked about the performance and handling of the airplane during the flight, the pilot stated, "the airplane performed the way it was suppose to when it ran out of fuel."
On September 19, 2007, at 2015 central daylight time, a Beech B90, N10TM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The certificated airline transport pilot and three passengers incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the corporate flight, enroute from Birmingham International Airport (BHM), Birmingham, Alabama to Georgetown Scott County Airport (27K), Georgetown, Kentucky. The airplane was registered to and operated by Air Amteck LLC under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 91. During a telephone interview, and in a written statement, the pilot recounted the events that occurred leading up to, and during, the accident flight. The pilot stated that during preflight inspection of the airplane, he noticed that all four fuel gauges displayed fuel quantity indications between the "3/4 and full." He was not concerned about the fuel level because he believed that approximately 3 hours of fuel was available for the estimated 1 hour 20 minute return flight. After departing BHM, and as the pilot leveled the airplane for the cruise portion of the flight, he "happened to look at the two left gauges and noticed that they were practically empty." The pilot then elected to divert to Lovell Field Airport (CHA), Chattanooga, Tennessee, which was 45 miles away. At that point the airplane was flying at flight level 210, and he estimated that he had about 50 gallons of fuel remaining. While on final approach to CHA, the left engine "quit," followed by the right engine. The pilot subsequently performed an emergency landing to a parking lot, impacting a light pole and collided with several parked cars. When asked about the performance and handling of the airplane during the flight, the pilot stated, "the airplane performed the way it was suppose to when it ran out of fuel." He went on to say that he noted no abnormal mechanical or flight control issues during the flight. First responders to the accident scene reported a small amount of fuel spillage from the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that both the nacelle and the wing fuel tanks were absent of fuel.
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion during the landing approach.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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