Beechcraft 95-B55 (T42A) N85RR

Summary

On 24 September 2021 at about 17:07 local time, a Beechcraft 95-B55 (T42A) registered N85RR was involved in an accident near Lancaster, Ohio, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 September 2021 at 17:07

Classification

Accident

Location

Lancaster, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Fairfield County (LHQ)

Coordinates

39.7518, -82.6543

Aircraft

Beechcraft 95-B55 (T42A)

Registration

N85RR

Category

Airplane

Year built

1970

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA457

1 person was seriously injured.

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger departed on a flight to add fuel to the airplane’s fuel tanks. The airplane was originally manufactured with 2 main fuel tanks and 2 auxiliary fuel tanks. A modification installed 2 additional wingtip tanks that fed into the main tanks via transfer pumps. When in cruise flight, the pilot selected the main fuel tanks and turned on the wingtip tank transfer pumps. However, one light indicating that the pump was operating did not illuminate. The pilot reselected the auxiliary tanks and decided to return to his home airport. The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern and he selected the main fuel tanks but noted that “not much fuel [was] showing in the left main tank.” Due to traffic already in the pattern, the pilot had to perform additional maneuvering to remain clear and then reestablish a final approach. On short final, the pilot determined that the landing was assured and selected full flaps. Shortly after, the left engine stopped producing power. The pilot knew the airplane would not make the runway with the landing gear and flaps down. He performed an off-field landing resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, elevators, and wings. The pilot informed a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the reason for the loss of engine power was due to fuel mismanagement.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.