N107WB

Substantial
None

Beech D50ES/N: DH-332

Accident Details

Date
Friday, April 6, 2007
NTSB Number
ATL07CA068
Location
Decatur, AL
Event ID
20070524X00632
Coordinates
34.652221, -86.940551
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
4
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in failure of both engines due to fuel starvation.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N107WB
Make
BEECH
Serial Number
DH-332
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
D50EBE50
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
TWIN BO SAFETY LLC
Address
1102 ANNE ST
Status
Deregistered
City
GRIFFIN
State / Zip Code
GA 30224-4710
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that he departed the Augusta Regional Airport/Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia, enroute to the General Dewitt Spain Airport, Memphis, Tennessee. He departed using the fuel from both main fuel tanks. Approximately one half hour into the flight the pilot stated that he switched both engines to the auxiliary fuel tanks. Two hours into the flight the right engine ran out of fuel. He switched the right fuel selector back to the main tank and turned on the electric boost pump. The engine surged and quit again. The pilot contacted air traffic control for a heading to the nearest airport and turned 180 degrees toward Pryor Field, Decatur, Alabama. The left engine stopped, and he turned the left engine fuel selector to the left main tank. He turned on the electric fuel boost pump and the engine failed to start. The pilot advised air traffic control that he had a fuel problem, and would not make it to the airport. He feathered the propellers and made an emergency landing in a field. After the forced landing the pilot and occupants exited the airplane uninjured. The pilot inspected both right fuel tanks and found both tanks empty. He inspected the left auxiliary tank and found it full and the left main was found with a lot of fuel. He reported that when he switched the fuel tanks to auxiliary positions he must have accidentally place the left fuel selector in the cross feed position.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL07CA068