Beechcraft E18S N7765N

Summary

On 27 December 2008 at about 20:21 local time, a Beechcraft E18S registered N7765N, operated by North American Leasing LLC, was involved in an accident near Fort Myers, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 December 2008 at 20:21

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Myers, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Southwest Florida Internationa (RSW)

Coordinates

26.5406, -81.7267

Aircraft

Beechcraft E18S

Registration

N7765N

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

North American Leasing LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Myers → Ft. Lauderdale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA108

1 person was seriously injured.

The failure of the right propeller to go to the feathered position for undetermined reasons following a total loss of right engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing on the fourth and final flight of the day. The pilot checked the fuel quantity using the fuel quantity gauge in the cockpit prior to departure and estimated that the airplane had approximately 100 gallons of fuel. During the initial climb, immediately following gear retraction and power adjustment, the right engine experienced a total loss of power. He switched the fuel selector from the right main fuel tank to the right auxiliary wing fuel tank, and then back to the right main fuel tank; however, he was unable to restore engine power. He also unsuccessfully attempted to feather the right propeller. The pilot had not accelerated the airplane to optimal single-engine rate of climb speed. Unable to maintain altitude, the airplane impacted trees and came to rest facing the opposite direction of travel. Examination of the fuel tanks revealed that the main wing fuel tanks were void of fuel and had not been ruptured. The auxiliary fuel tanks were ruptured but had evidence of fuel, and the rear auxiliary tank contained fuel of an unknown quantity. Examination of the engine, fuel selector valves, propeller, and engine feathering oil pump revealed no mechanical malfunctions that would have prohibited normal operation. The carburetor for the right engine was void of fuel. According to the airplane flight manual, the main fuel tanks must be used "for takeoffs, landing, and flight through rough air." The manual also indicated that the auxiliary tanks should be selected only in cruise flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.