On October 25, 1995, a Beech A-36 (registration N990EC) was involved in an aviation accident near Newport, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadvertent shut-off of the fuel mixture control. Factors contributing to the accident were: the pilot's failure to perform adequate remedial action to regain engine power, his lack of familiarity with the accident airplane, and his failure to… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During descent, the airplane exited clouds at 600 feet, the pilot cancelled IFR, then the engine sputtered and quit. The airplane impacted terrain with a rapid descent. The mixture control was found in idle cutoff, throttle at cruise, and turbocharger control partially engaged. The pilot sustained serious injuries and had no memory of the flight.
Incident Overview
While descending to the destination airport, the airplane broke out of clouds approximately 600 feet above ground level. The pilot cancelled the IFR flight plan immediately after descending out of the clouds. Witnesses reported that the engine began to 'sputter' shortly thereafter, then quit. The airplane was observed impacting level terrain during a rapid rate of descent.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed several control positions: the vernier mixture control was found in the idle cutoff position, the throttle was in a cruise power position, and an additional manual turbocharger vernier control was found partially engaged.
Pilot Background
The pilot sustained serious head injuries and stated that he cannot remember the accident flight. He had logged 11 hours in the accident airplane during the 105 days preceding the accident. He had not flown the accident airplane, or any other turbocharged airplane with similar cockpit controls, prior to that time. He had flown eight consecutive flights in airplanes with dissimilar cockpit controls prior to the accident flight and subsequent to his last flight in type.