Accident Overview
On April 30, 2022, at approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Raytheon Aircraft Company A36 airplane, registration N47JB, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Blanket, Texas. The pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross-country trip.
Flight Timeline
The flight originated at Majors Airport (GVT) in Greenville, Texas, with a planned destination of Brownwood Regional Airport (BWD) in Brownwood, Texas, navigating via a navigational aid near Cedar Creek, Texas. During preflight, the pilot visually confirmed that each fuel tank contained slightly more than half a tank, which matched the fuel gauges indicating a total of 40 gallons. The pilot decided against refueling for the anticipated one hour and twenty-minute flight. The ForeFlight application estimated a fuel consumption of approximately 22 gallons for the planned route.
The pilot reported that the engine run-up, en route portion, and descent from a cruise altitude of 8,000 feet mean sea level (msl) were normal. He could not recall which fuel tank was selected during taxi, run-up, climb-out, and the en route phase. While descending through 6,000 feet msl, the pilot canceled the instrument flight rules clearance. When the destination airport was in sight, the engine lost power completely.
Forced Landing
The pilot immediately pulled the yoke back to best glide speed, identified a grass field for landing, and began the engine-out checklist. During the procedure, he switched fuel tanks. After completing the checklist twice without success in restarting the engine, he maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed and the right wing sustained substantial damage. The airplane came to rest upright, and both occupants exited without further incident.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination revealed no fuel in the right fuel tank and approximately 5.5 gallons in the left fuel tank. According to the airframe manufacturer, 3 gallons in each tank are considered unusable. Both fuel tanks were intact, as were the airframe and engine fuel lines. The fuel tank caps appeared normal and were properly installed. No evidence of fuel leakage or spillage was found on the airframe or at the accident site, and no fuel odors were detected. The fuel tank selector was found in the right tank position. When the fuel line to the fuel pressure regulator and the fuel injection distribution manifold was opened, no visible fuel was present.
Maintenance Records and Fuel Management
Examination of the airplane’s maintenance records showed no uncorrected mechanical discrepancies with the airframe or engine. The aircraft was not equipped with a fuel totalizer or engine monitoring system, and such equipment was not required. The pilot did not have fueling records or receipts from the last refueling, as he had obtained fuel from a family member and fueled the airplane himself. Postaccident flight planning, using the pilot’s provided information, indicated that the engine would have consumed 21.9 gallons for the flight (or 22.9 gallons at maximum cruise speed), not including required fuel reserves.
Manufacturer Guidance
The Raytheon A36 Pilot’s Operating Handbook states, “Plan for an ample margin of fuel for any flight.” The Textron Aviation Pilot Safety and Warning Supplements further emphasizes, “It is always the responsibility of the pilot-in-command to ensure sufficient fuel is available for the planned flight.”