Dual engine failure during positioning flight leads to residential crash

No fatalities • Houston-William P. Hobby, United States of America • Landing (descent or approach)

A positioning flight involving two passengers ended in a forced landing in a residential neighborhood after both engines lost power.

What happened

During a positioning flight, an aircraft carrying the pilot and two passengers experienced a critical loss of power while on its base leg. The incident began when the left engine started to sputter. In an attempt to restore power, the pilot activated the secondary boost pump; however, this temporary measure failed to prevent the subsequent flameout of both engines.

Unable to maintain altitude, the aircraft performed an emergency forced landing within a residential area. During the descent and impact sequence, the plane struck several obstacles, including a powerline, trees, a house, a fireplug, and a van, before ultimately hitting a second residence. The impact resulted in three serious injuries among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations into the crash revealed that there was no usable fuel remaining within the aircraft's fuel system at the time of the incident, and no scent of fuel was detected in the surrounding area following the crash. The primary factor contributing to the dual engine flameout was the failure to refuel the aircraft prior to the flight, compounded by insufficient preflight and inflight planning.

Probable cause

The loss of power to both engines was caused by inadequate fuel management and a failure to refuel the aircraft before departure.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-09-16 Beechcraft 100 King Air accident near Houston-William P. Hobby, United States of America?

A positioning flight involving two passengers ended in a forced landing in a residential neighborhood after both engines lost power.

Were there any fatalities in the 1989-09-16 Beechcraft 100 King Air accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-09-16 involved a Beechcraft 100 King Air, registration N204AJ, operated by Aviex Jet, at Houston-William P. Hobby, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The loss of power to both engines was caused by inadequate fuel management and a failure to refuel the aircraft before departure.

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