On May 9, 1982, a Beech A36 (registration N1877L) operated by Engineering Handling Systems, was involved in an aviation accident near Smithville, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported a loss of power and was unable to reach the airport. The aircraft collided with trees during a forced landing and landed hard, gear up, in a farmyard.
What happened
The pilot reported experiencing a loss of power and stated that it was not possible to reach the airport. During the subsequent forced landing attempt, the aircraft collided with trees before coming to rest in a farmyard. The landing was hard, and the gear remained up.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the left fuel tank was empty. In contrast, the right fuel tank was full. The fuel selector was found positioned on the left tank setting. Analysis of the fuel system indicated it contained approximately one ounce of fuel at the time of the incident.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the flight. This error resulted in fuel exhaustion, which led to the loss of engine power and the subsequent forced landing.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.