Beechcraft F33A DECTB

Summary

On 2 April 1998 at about 19:00 local time, a Beechcraft F33A registered DECTB was involved in an accident near Fort Pierce, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 April 1998 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Pierce, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

St. Lucie International (FPR)

Coordinates

27.4408, -80.5606

Aircraft

Beechcraft F33A

Registration

DECTB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Palm Beach

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA98LA117

Nobody was injured.

a loss of engine power due to fuel leakage at the fuel control, resulting in a forced landing, and subsequent impact with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight had departed runway 14, and had reached an altitude of about 200 feet, when the pilot reported a loss of engine power. The pilot elected to make a forced landing straight ahead into trees. After impact, the pilot closed off the fuel valve. Examination of the wreckage after the accident revealed that the fuel tanks had fuel. The pilot said the fuel selector was on the left tank when the loss of power occurred. Observation of the engine at the crash site did not reveal any obvious discrepancies. The engine was removed from the airframe and examined at the NTSB's request, and under the supervision of the FAA, on June 24, 1998. The engine examination revealed that the fuel control system exhibited fluid leakage at the fuel pump and throttle shaft. Detailed examination of the fuel pump showed that the pump leaked fluid at the rear high speed adjusting needle at the seal to the pump body. There was no evidence of impact damage observed on the fuel pump. In addition, the throttle/metering unit leaked fluid at the throttle shaft into the metering unit. The leak at the throttle shaft was severe enough that no flow test was possible. The throttle arm displayed impact damage. The throttle shaft was removed from the unit, and the 'O' ring seal was found flat from wear. The 'O' ring was replaced and the leakage stopped. The unit was then flow tested to manufacturer's standards. No other discrepancies were found during the engine examination

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.