Beechcraft A23A N8871M

Summary

On 30 August 1990 at about 15:58 local time, a Beechcraft A23A registered N8871M, operated by Black Sheep Flying Club, was involved in an accident near St Paul, Minnesota, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 August 1990 at 15:58

Classification

Accident

Location

St Paul, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

44.8695, -92.9910

Aircraft

Beechcraft A23A

Registration

N8871M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Black Sheep Flying Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

St Paul → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI90FA250

1 person died.

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

ABOUT 1.5 HRS AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT RPRTD A LOSS OF ENG POWER. WHEN ASKED ABOUT HER POSITION, THE PLT RPRTD THAT SHE WAS 'OVER THE RIVER.' A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT AT AN ESTIMATED 500 TO 800 FT AGL. HE SAID THE ACFT'S NOSE ROSE TO A HIGH ANGLE, THEN THE RIGHT WING DROPPED & THE ACFT WENT INTO A SPIN & DOVE INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. ON THE PREVIOUS FLT, THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN ABOUT 1.4 HRS, USING FUEL FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE ACFT HAVING BEEN REFUELED AFTER THAT FLT. DURING A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ACFT, THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS FOUND IN THE 'ON' POSITION, BOTH FUEL GAGES WERE INDICATING EMPTY & THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.