Beechcraft C23 N2192W

Summary

On 25 February 2002 at about 23:55 local time, a Beechcraft C23 registered N2192W, operated by Sky Safety, was involved in an accident near Wilmington, Delaware, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 February 2002 at 23:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Wilmington, Delaware, United States

Nearest airport

New Castle County (ILG)

Coordinates

39.7609, -75.5301

Aircraft

Beechcraft C23

Registration

N2192W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Sky Safety

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wilmington → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

IAD02LA035

2 people were seriously injured.

the flight instructor's improper fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's failure to follow the published checklist procedures.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and private pilot were returning to their home airport after a 1.9 hour instructional flight. On final approach, the engine stopped producing power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and landed on an embankment short of the runway. According to a police officer, who arrived on the scene an hour after the accident, the left fuel tank was found empty, and the fuel selector valve was found positioned to the left tank. The tank was not breached and there were no signs of leakage. However, fuel was observed in the right fuel tank. When the fuel selector valve was positioned to the right fuel tank, fuel flowed freely from the fuel strainer fuel line. Eighteen gallons of fuel were then drained from the right fuel tank. According to the Beechcraft Sundowner C23 Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), the fuel selector handle was located on the floorboards between the pilot and copilot seats. According to the published before landing checklist, item 2 stated: "Fuel Selector Valve-SELECT TANK MORE NEARLY FULL (feel for detent and check visually)." No mechanical deficiencies were noted with the engine, or fuel system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.