The pilot planned to complete a cross-country flight in the Beech D-45, estimating a total fuel consumption of 30 gallons. During his preflight inspection, the fuel gauges showed 13 gallons in the left fuel tank and 17 gallons in the right fuel tank. The pilot visually confirmed that each tank contained fuel and then added 10 gallons of fuel.
As the pilot descended through 6,500 feet mean sea level about 10 nm south of the destination airport, the engine “sputtered” and then lost all power.
According to the pilot, the fuel gauges showed no fuel in the left tank and 17 gallons of fuel in the right tank.
After subsequent attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, he established a glide profile and made a forced landing in a field about 1 nm south of the airport in Ione, California.
A post-accident inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing.
Both fuel tanks were empty and the fuel gauges indicated no fuel in the left tank and five gallons in the right tank.
The pilot told investigators that his “best conclusion is that the engine lost power due to fuel starvation.”
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and impact with terrain.
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This June 2020 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Some of these models have 50 gallon tanks. Others have 120 gallons. So there’s no excuse for not having at least 50 gallons on board.
I fly this area and the normal winds are from the north, up to Stockton, and can be 10-20 kts.
Also, the engine looks to have been changed from an O-470 to an IO-550. Did the POH change to indicate the increased fuel burn ?
This pilot started out with low fuel. He failed to have 30+ minutes reserve before he launched. A B18 consumes 40+ at T.O. and cruise at about 20 each side.
How many GA aircraft have fuel gauges that do not read properly? Aren’t they supposed to read zero when empty? If they don’t and they are required… This is an INOP making the plane non-airworthy, right?
Ok, next is, make sure you have the fuel in hours to get where you are going. If the gauges are screwy, you still make it. And you might even make a precautionary landing to make sure you didn’t have sump stick and leak.
But known problem = ferry permit doesn’t it to go where it can be serviced?
Winter time flying, tanks full.
Sumer time flying, less in tanks. G35 a PITA to keep in balance with two heavy weights in front seat.
Excess fuel makes up for other mistakes.
I always filled mine up