Beechcraft C23 N6015F

Summary

On 4 March 2011 at about 16:30 local time, a Beechcraft C23 registered N6015F, operated by Quality Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Carrollton, Georgia, United States. 2 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 March 2011 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Carrollton, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

West Georgia Regional Airport (CTJ)

Coordinates

33.6256, -85.1514

Aircraft

Beechcraft C23

Registration

N6015F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Quality Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Carrollton → Atlanta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA179

Nobody was injured.

The mechanic's failure to re-connect a fuel line following an annual inspection. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to depart with a known mechanical deficiency.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to pick up the airplane after the completion of an annual inspection. He said that the inspection was completed, and during the engine start, the fuel pressure gauge showed no pressure; however, the engine started and ran normally with no anomalies noted during the takeoff or initial climb. About 2,000 feet mean sea level and 4 miles from the airport, smoke was observed coming from the engine cowling and the engine ran roughly. Witnesses stated that smoke and flames trailed from the airplane as it landed back at the departure airport, steered into the grass infield, and the occupants egressed. The instrument panel, cockpit, cabin area, and right wing were consumed by fire. A postaccident examination revealed that the fuel line from the fuel boost pump to the carburetor was disconnected. Closer examination revealed melted metals and soot accumulated on the threads of the male fitting of the pump, and on the threads of the female b-nut fitting of the fuel line, consistent with the line being disconnected prior to the fire. The fuel line was in close proximity to the carburetor fuel strainer that would routinely be removed during an annual inspection. A t-fitting on the line routed fuel to the fuel pressure indicator. With the affected line disconnected, fuel pressure would not register on the gauge, but the engine would continue to operate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.