On January 18, 1986, a Beech A23A (registration N6900Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Hastings, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to overfly suitable intermediate airports for refueling, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot with an estimated 25-minute fuel endurance flew past suitable landing sites for refueling, resulting in a fuel exhaustion event. The incident highlights the dangers of poor time management and inadequate reserve planning during flight operations.
What happened
The pilot initiated a flight with an estimated 13 gallons of fuel on board, anticipating a duration of approximately fifty minutes. Based on a calculated fuel consumption rate of nine gallons per hour, the aircraft possessed an endurance of one hour and twenty-five minutes from the moment the engine started. However, the pilot failed to utilize suitable intermediate airports that were available for landing and refueling. Instead, he continued flying past these opportunities until the fuel supply was completely depleted exactly one hour and twenty-five minutes after engine start.
Safety message
Following the incident, the pilot identified several critical errors in judgment and planning. He emphasized the need to curb the urge to rush during flight operations. Key recommendations included factoring in wind speed effects on ground speed and fuel burn, carrying a mandatory 45-minute reserve, and trusting instincts to land when uncertain about continuing the mission. He also advised reviewing applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to overfly suitable intermediate airports for refueling, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.