On May 15, 1968, a Beechcraft 18 (registration N1977D) operated by Midstate Air Commuter was involved in an aviation accident near Marshfield, United States of America during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to realize there was no fuel in the tanks prior to takeoff, causing both engines to fail after rotation. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
Shortly after takeoff, both engines stopped simultaneously. The airplane stalled and crashed near the runway end. The pilot was killed, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Accident Overview
Shortly after takeoff, while in the initial climb, both engines of the airplane stopped simultaneously. The subsequent loss of thrust caused the airplane to stall, and it crashed near the end of the runway. Impact forces and a post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft. The pilot was killed in the accident.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident. According to the findings, the pilot conducted an inadequate preflight preparation and failed to realize that there was no fuel in the tanks prior to takeoff. This oversight led to both engines failing after rotation, resulting in the loss of control and the fatal crash.
Conclusion
The accident was attributed to the pilot's failure to ensure sufficient fuel was onboard before departure. The investigation did not identify any mechanical malfunctions or environmental factors contributing to the engine failures.