Beechcraft BE-95-A55 N9779Y

Summary

On 4 September 2004 at about 20:30 local time, a Beechcraft BE-95-A55 registered N9779Y was involved in an accident near Louisville, Kentucky, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 September 2004 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Nearest airport

Standiford Field (SDF)

Coordinates

38.1744, -85.7361

Aircraft

Beechcraft BE-95-A55

Registration

N9779Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Louisville → Nashville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC04LA204

Nobody was injured.

The improper refueling of the left auxiliary fuel tank, which resulted in an overflow of fuel, and a subsequent explosion in the left wing during engine start.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Upon landing at the destination airport, the pilot was informed that he would have to pay a ramp and parking fee, or buy a minimum of 15 gallons of fuel. Even though the airplane would not require any additional fuel for the subsequent flight, the pilot opted to buy fuel to avoid paying the fees. While the refueler was servicing the left auxiliary fuel tank, he allowed between 1 and 5 gallons to overflow. About 15 minutes later, the pilot attempted to start the left engine, and simultaneously, an explosion occurred in the left wing. The engine did not start, but the pilot thought that it backfired at the time of the explosion. Examination of the left wing revealed damage consistent with an internal explosion, and that the fuel cells were intact, full of fuel, and not leaking.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.