What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-09-02 involved a Beech B36TC, registration N8018J, operated by Stephen J. Hatch, at Uniondale, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inaccurate preflight planning which resulted in an inadequate fuel supply and subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceiling, dark night conditions, and the utility pole which the airplane contacted during the forced landing.

Airplane Strikes Pole and Terrain After Engine Power Loss During ILS Approach (N8018J)

On September 2, 2003, a Beech B36TC (registration N8018J) operated by Stephen J. Hatch was involved in an aviation accident near Uniondale, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inaccurate preflight planning which resulted in an inadequate fuel supply and subsequent fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

A Beechcraft airplane (N8018J) lost engine power during an ILS approach, struck a utility pole and terrain, and was destroyed by post-impact fire. Pilot reported fuel problems and attempted restart; examination found only residual fuel in the engine.

Accident Sequence

According to the investigation, the airplane impacted a utility pole and the terrain following a loss of engine power while being vectored for an ILS approach. The pilot had diverted to an airport with an ILS approach due to deteriorated weather. During the approach, the airplane did not seem to be descending, so the pilot disconnected the autopilot and executed a missed approach.

Pilot Actions

Upon reaching 2,600 feet msl during the missed approach, the pilot leaned the engine using turbo inlet temperature. The engine began to sputter. The pilot pushed the mixture to rich, adjusted the throttle, and switched the boost pump to LOW, but the sputtering continued. Switching the boost pump to HI stopped the sputtering momentarily before it resumed. The pilot informed ATC of a fuel problem and requested to land "ASAP." The approach controller issued a vector for N8018J to turn onto the approach. The pilot then switched the fuel selector to the left tank and attempted to restart the engine without success. During the emergency descent, all airplane lights went out except for the GPS and EFIS, which had independent lighting systems. The airplane hit the utility pole, slid across a county road, and came to rest, followed by a post-impact fire and explosion.

Fuel Analysis

The usable fuel capacity of the airplane is 102 gallons. The fuel tanks were last topped off on August 1, 2003, and a total of 151.7 gallons were added after that date, resulting in 253.7 gallons of usable fuel onboard since August 1. The airplane flew 12.1 hours with 8 takeoffs. The pilot reported fuel burn ranging from 12 to 30 gallons per hour, with an average of 18 to 19 gallons per hour. According to Beechcraft, an additional 4 gallons of fuel is used for each taxi, takeoff, and climb sequence. At 18 gallons per hour, the airplane would have used 249.8 gallons; at 19 gallons per hour, 261.9 gallons would have been used. Examination of the engine revealed only residual fuel in the fuel manifold and metering unit. No fuel was present in any fuel lines or the fuel pump.

Examination

The post-accident inspection found fuel absence throughout the engine system, consistent with fuel exhaustion. Regulation 49 CFR Part 91.167 requires that no person operate a civil aircraft in IFR conditions unless it carries enough fuel to complete the flight to the first airport, then to the alternate, and then for 45 minutes at normal cruise.

2003-09-02: Beech B36TC (N8018J) — Stephen J. Hatch — Uniondale, IN