Beechcraft A36 N36900

Summary

On 20 July 2023 at about 17:36 local time, a Beechcraft A36 registered N36900 was involved in an accident near Oberlin, Kansas, United States. 2 people were on board and one 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

20 July 2023 at 17:36

Classification

Accident

Location

Oberlin, Kansas, United States

Coordinates

39.6713, -100.6472

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36

Registration

N36900

Category

Airplane

Year built

1980

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gillette → Dalhart

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN23LA344

1 person had minor injuries.

The blockage of the left fuel tank vent, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident of the pilot’s failure to use his checklist to address the loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight over a cloud layer, the engine lost power as if it were out of fuel. The pilot attempted to restore engine power by switching to the right fuel tank and activating the starter but was unsuccessful. As the airplane descended through the cloud layer, the pilot switched back to the left fuel tank and then focused his attention on maintaining airplane control. The airplane descended below the cloud layer and the pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to a road. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel venting system on the left-wing fuel tank was obstructed by what appeared to be insect debris. No other anomalies were noted during the examination of the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operations. The circumstances of the power loss are consistent with an interruption of fuel flow from the left fuel tank due to inadequate venting of the fuel tank. During the attempt to restore engine power, the pilot did not engage the auxiliary fuel pump as stated in the emergency procedures checklist, which may have aided in restoring engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.