1999-03-15: Beech BE-76 (N6638C) — Dravosburg, PA
On March 15, 1999, a Beech BE-76 (registration N6638C) was involved in an aviation accident near Dravosburg, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to accurately calculate fuel required for the flight, and his decision not to divert for fuel prior to his intended destination. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to accurately calculate fuel required for the flight, and his decision not to divert for fuel prior to his intended destination. A factor in the accident was the pilot's over confidence in his ability to operate the airplane with minimal fuel onboard.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
After the pilot flew 4 hours and 37 minutes he reported the airport insight, and was cleared to land. The airplane then crashed 1 1/2 miles from the runway. No pre impact failures or malfunctions were identified. No fuel was found in the right engine fuel lines, and a few drops from the left. The airplane departed with 100 gallons of useable fuel, and flew at 9,000 feet msl with the cabin heater on. The airplane's gross weight at take off was approximately 4,337 pounds. The maximum gross weight at takeoff was published as 3,900 pounds. Fuel endurance at 9,000 feet pressure altitude was published as approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes with 2,500 engine rpm. Fuel consumption for the heater was listed as 2/3 gallons per hour. On a prior flight, the pilot landed the accident airplane with 2 gallons of usable fuel onboard.