Summary
On November 02, 2011, a Beech F33A (N833) was involved in an accident near Chesterfield, VA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management.
The airplane had been fueled and then flown for about three hours and fifteen minutes prior to landing at a private landing strip. The pilot then departed from the private strip and was enroute to a nearby airport when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing into a reservoir, which resulted in substantial damage to the ailerons. The airplane came to rest upright and floated for several minutes, while the pilot egressed and was rescued by a local resident. After the airplane was recovered from the reservoir, about 20 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing fuel tank. The left wing fuel tank was void of fuel and the fuel selector was selected to the left tank.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA12CA059. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N833.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The airplane had been fueled and then flown for about three hours and fifteen minutes prior to landing at a private landing strip. The pilot then departed from the private strip and was enroute to a nearby airport when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing into a reservoir, which resulted in substantial damage to the ailerons. The airplane came to rest upright and floated for several minutes, while the pilot egressed and was rescued by a local resident. After the airplane was recovered from the reservoir, about 20 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing fuel tank. The left wing fuel tank was void of fuel and the fuel selector was selected to the left tank. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no other anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA059