Beechcraft F33A N52359

Summary

On 30 September 2007 at about 20:00 local time, a Beechcraft F33A registered N52359, operated by Monte S. Crowl, was involved in an accident near Franklin, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 September 2007 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Franklin, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Franklin Municipal Airport (FKN)

Coordinates

36.6917, -76.9003

Aircraft

Beechcraft F33A

Registration

N52359

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Monte S. Crowl

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chesapeake → Chesapeake

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC07LA244

2 people had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power during approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While practicing a holding pattern prior to commencing a very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) approach, the pilot switched fuel tanks. A short time later, the pilot commenced the approach. After passing the VOR inbound, and starting a descent to the minimum descent altitude, at approximately 1,000 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot transferred control to the safety pilot, and attempted several engine restarts. The airplane was over a forest at the time, and the safety pilot flew the airplane between two trees so that the wings would take most of the initial impact. The airplane came to rest in another tree 50 to 80 feet off the ground. Terrain conditions precluded examination of the airplane on scene, and additional damage occurred when it was removed from the tree for transport to a recovery facility. A postflight examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and a sufficient quantity of fuel had been onboard. The fuel selector valve was located to the left and forward of the pilot’s seat, and the airplane’s fuel tanks were replaced 6.6 operating hours prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.