On July 10, 1999, a Beech A23 (registration N8873M) was involved in an aviation accident near Eatonville, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Improper fuel management which led to fuel starvation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft experienced engine power loss on final approach; fuel imbalance found with left tank containing 12 gallons and right only 22 ounces. Fuel selector was on left. Engine ran smoothly in post-crash test.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses reported observing the aircraft flying low on final approach when the engine lost power. One witness stated that just before the aircraft was lost from sight, a noise was heard resembling an attempt to restart the engine.
Flight Details
Neither the pilot nor the pilot-rated passenger recalled the events leading up to the accident. The flight was returning after a duration of approximately two hours.
Fuel Analysis
Fuel consumption calculations indicated that the flight required an estimated 14 to 19 gallons of fuel, leaving 16 to 11 gallons remaining at completion. The aircraft began with approximately 30 gallons of fuel. Examination of the wreckage revealed that about 12 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing fuel tank, while only 22 ounces were drained from the right fuel tank. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left side fuel tank. No evidence of fuel leakage was observed.
Post-crash Examination
Post-crash examination of the engine found no fuel present in the fuel lines. The engine was subsequently prepared for an operational test; it was started and ran for a sufficient duration to demonstrate smooth operation.