Rockwell 500U N197K

Summary

On 16 February 1996 at about 19:40 local time, a Rockwell 500U registered N197K was involved in an accident near Hampton, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 February 1996 at 19:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Hampton, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

33.1193, -91.9601

Aircraft

Rockwell 500U

Registration

N197K

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Crossett

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA139

Nobody was injured.

Improper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After deplaning a passenger, the pilot departed the airport, en route to the operator's base to refuel. He reported that, while 'climbing through 6,500 [feet], the left engine began to surge.' After turning back to the departure airport, located 12 miles away, 'both engines began to sputter and quit.' Descending through 4,500 feet, the pilot attempted to restart the right engine and then the left engine. Both engines individually 'ran' for 15-30 seconds, but 'quit again.' During the emergency descent, the pilot 'maneuvered around' a tower to land in a farmer's field. During the ensuing landing, the left wing 'caught a terrace and turned [the airplane] sideways.' The left wing was buckled between the nacelle and fuselage, and fuselage structure above the nose gear was damaged. No usable fuel was found on board, and no fuel spills or leaks were detected.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.