Accident Overview
On February 22, 2014, about 1345 Pacific standard time, a Beech A45 (registration N666) was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power during the initial climb from runway 24 at Hollister Municipal Airport (CVH), Hollister, California. The airplane was operated under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident, with an intended destination of Palo Alto, California.
Pilot's Account
In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he had earlier flown from Palo Alto to CVH to meet a friend and conduct a practice formation flight. During that flight, he had the left fuel tank selected. Following an uneventful formation flight, they returned to CVH for lunch and to debrief. The pilot thought he had the right fuel tank selected during the formation flight, which lasted over an hour.
After lunch, the pilot and his friend agreed to perform a formation takeoff. During the initial climb from runway 24, the engine lost power at an altitude of about 100 to 200 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted a 180-degree turn toward a planted field adjacent to the runway. About halfway through the turn, he determined he did not have sufficient altitude to complete it and leveled the wings. The airplane then landed hard on an open road.
The pilot stated that he had positioned the fuel selector to the left fuel tank for his return flight to Palo Alto. He reported that each fuel tank held 25 gallons, allowing about 2 hours of flight time per tank. At takeoff, he believed there were 25 gallons of fuel on board. However, during the preflight inspection, he did not check the fuel level in each tank.
Post-Accident Examination
First responders observed that the engine was partially separated and the fuselage was structurally damaged, and they noted the fuel selector valve handle was positioned to the left fuel tank. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
NTSB examination revealed that both wings and the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator had been removed to facilitate transport. The engine remained partially attached to the airframe and was displaced downward. Throttle and mixture control continuity was established. The fuel selector valve was tested: with the valve in the "left" position, compressed air applied to the fuel inlet line at the left wing fuselage attach point expelled from the firewall inlet line and the left wing fuel vent line. No leaks were noted.
The engine, a Teledyne Continental Motors O-470-13A, was examined: all accessories and cylinders remained attached; fuel and oil lines were intact; the oil screen was debris-free. Rotational continuity and thumb compression were obtained on all six cylinders, with no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
The wreckage recovery company reported that they removed less than 2 gallons of fuel from the left wing fuel tank and in excess of 10 gallons from the right wing fuel tank.