Beechcraft A36 N410BC

Summary

On 17 December 2016 at about 21:07 local time, a Beechcraft A36 registered N410BC was involved in an accident near Ormond Beach, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 December 2016 at 21:07

Classification

Accident

Location

Ormond Beach, Florida, United States

Coordinates

29.2667, -81.2547

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36

Registration

N410BC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Deland → Eustis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA17LA070

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's impairment by alcohol before and during the flight, which led to his improper fuel management and resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that he was returning to his home airport and was practicing maneuvers at 1,200 ft. The left fuel tank ran dry, and the engine experienced a total loss of power. He stated that his normal procedure was to exhaust the fuel in one tank before switching to the other tank. He attempted to restart the engine after switching to the right tank, which, he stated, held 40 gallons of fuel. The engine would not restart, so he conducted a forced landing in a field. After touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed down into the ground. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the left wing was substantially damaged and that the left wing fuel tank was breached. The right wing had minimal damage, and the right wing fuel tank was undamaged. No fuel was found in either fuel tank, and the wing tank selector handle was found in the "off" position. Examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Blood was drawn from the pilot about 1 hour after the accident, and it tested positive for 0.177 gm/dl of alcohol. At the time of the accident, the pilot's alcohol level was likely at or above 0.185 gm/dl, which is considered impairing. The pilot's impairment by alcohol before and during the flight likely led to his improper fuel mismanagement and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.