Fuel Exhaustion & Starvation · NTSB CEN23FA139
BEECH 58P — Lubbock, TX
| Date | March 17, 2023 |
| Location | Lubbock, TX |
| Aircraft | BEECH 58P |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 26 |
| Pilot total time | 920 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Inspection-Preflight inspection-Pilot
- Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Fuel system-Fuel selector/shutoff valve-Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Engine out control-Not attained/maintained
What happened
The pilot landed at the departure airport and dropped off passengers before the accident flight. The pilot then left the airplane while it was being fueled and returned after fueling was completed. The pilot walked around the airplane while talking on a cellular phone, which was not consistent with a proper preflight inspection of the airplane due to his diverted attention. After the engines were started, the airplane taxied to the departure runway. A witness stated that he did not see or hear an engine run-up before takeoff. The witness said the airplane’s takeoff was normal and later heard an audible change in engine sound after it had become airborne. Surveillance video recorded the airplane in a nose-down, left bank attitude before entering a left roll into an inverted attitude and impacting the ground.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left cockpit fuel selector was in the OFF position, which likely led to fuel starvation and a loss of left engine power. Additionally, the left engine propeller exhibited features of low/no power. The right propeller exhibited features consistent with higher power and a blade angle near takeoff/climb power. The initial left roll of the airplane likely resulted from the loss of left engine power. Examination of the engines revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Flight control continuity of the airplane was confirmed and the continued left roll after the loss of left engine power indicated a loss of control by the pilot.