Accident Overview
On June 7, 2012, at about 1615 central daylight time, a Beech model 77 airplane, registration N18012, impacted the ground during a landing approach at Clark County Airport (8D7), Clark, South Dakota. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane, registered to Little Chippewa Creek LLC and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight, sustained damage to its wings and fuselage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was operated on a visual flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from Pierre Regional Airport, Pierre, South Dakota, about 1400.
Passenger Account
The passenger stated that she and the pilot flew from Morris, Minnesota, to Pierre. They departed Pierre about 1400. She reported that the low fuel light illuminated before reaching Clark County Airport. They proceeded to the airport to land, flew over the runway, and were circling when the airplane crashed.
Witness Account
A witness observed the airplane pass over the runway at a relatively low altitude with the engine operating. The airplane then dipped, followed by an abrupt climb and a sharp turn toward the grass runway. The witness believed the pilot was attempting a fast landing on the grass. The nose then came down as if the airplane stalled, and it struck the ground. The witness estimated the airplane was about 200 feet above ground level when the stall occurred.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination revealed that the engine, aft fuselage, and outboard left wing had separated. The right wing was crushed upward and rearward. Examination of the engine and fuel system showed both wing fuel tanks were ruptured, the fuel line from the selector valve to the gascolator was broken, and the gascolator was clean with no debris. Both fuel lines to the electric fuel pump were broken. The upper carburetor mounting flange was separated from the carburetor, and the throttle butterfly was detached. No fuel was found in the carburetor or gascolator, and no fuel smell was present. About one gallon of fuel was drained from the ruptured wing tanks during recovery. The propeller blades exhibited no noticeable bending or twisting.
Fuel System Details
The airplane had a total fuel capacity of 30 gallons, with 29 gallons usable in normal flight attitudes. The fuel system included a shutoff valve with on and off positions but no provision for feeding from a single tank. Fuel quantity was monitored by indicators in each wing tank, and a low fuel warning light operated in conjunction with these indicators.
As of June 14, 2013, the pilot had not submitted a report of the accident to the NTSB.