Investigator In Charge (IIC): Hodges, Michael
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Irving, Texas
Textron Aircraft; Wichita, Kansas
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Palestine, Texas
Accident Number: CEN21LA151
Date and Time: March 6, 2021, 12:17 Local
Registration: N3394V
Aircraft: Beech 35
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel starvation
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The airplane was recently purchased by the copilot. The day before the accident, a mechanic performed a pre-buy/annual inspection on the airplane, which had not been inspected in over 8 years, with no issues annotated in the maintenance records. On the day of the accident, the pilot and copilot departed for the cross-country flight of about 200 nautical miles to the copilot’s home airport. The copilot reported a total of 54 gallons of fuel between the three fuel tanks (17 gallons each in the left and right tanks and 20 gallons in the auxiliary tank) at departure. He also reported that the generator was inoperative, and the flight was made with the retractable landing gear in the extended position. About 43 minutes into the flight, the fuel in the left-wing fuel tank was “depleted,” and the crew switched to the right-wing fuel tank with no issues. The pilot suggested they switch to the auxiliary fuel tank, and when the copilot switched to the auxiliary fuel tank, a total loss of engine power occurred.
The copilot switched the fuel selector to its “opposite position” and then switched it back to the right fuel tank but power was not restored. The crew attempted to restart the engine several times with no success, and the pilot transferred the flight controls to the copilot for a forced landing. The copilot maneuvered the airplane through a canopy of trees, and the airplane then impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
During post-accident examination, the required fuel selector placard depicting the four selectable positions (RIGHT TANK, LEFT TANK, AUXILIARY TANK, and OFF) was not observed in the wreckage. The fuel selector was found with the handle between the OFF and LEFT TANK positions; in this position, fuel would not pass through the selector. Detents that should have been felt at the four selectable positions were not noted as the handle was rotated through the fuel tank positions. The mechanic reported there were no issues noted with the airplane during the annual inspection performed one day before the accident and the mechanic classified the airplane as “complete.”
None of the three fuel tanks contained observable fuel levels on scene. There was no evidence of fuel spillage, smell, or vegetation blighting at the accident site. The right-wing and auxiliary tanks were not breached. The left-wing bladder was punctured by a fracture in the inboard wing rib that likely occurred during impact.
Although the copilot reported that the fuel selector placard was installed, review of his cell phone records indicated that during the flight, he sent a text message to the previous airplane owner asking what position on the fuel selector was for the auxiliary fuel tank. Therefore, it is likely the fuel selector placard was not installed in the airplane. The text message also indicates the flight crew lacked an understanding of how to properly operate the fuel selector.
According to the copilot, there should have been fuel available when the engine power loss occurred. Based on the examination of the fuel system, the reason for the lack of fuel at the accident site could not be determined. Given that the fuel selector was found in a position where fuel would not pass through it, that the fuel selector placard was not installed, and that the flight crew lacked adequate knowledge of fuel selector operation, it is likely the flight crew incorrectly placed the fuel selector between the fuel tank detents, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
The airframe manufacturer issued a service bulletin 23 years before the accident about adding an updated placard to the fuel selector due to reports of incidents and accidents involving engine failure due to pilots incorrectly positioning the fuel selector between fuel tank detents. The service bulletin stated that a no-flow condition exists between the fuel tank detents. The airplane maintenance records did not show that this service bulletin was complied with, nor was it required to be complied with.
Based on autopsy findings, the pilot had severe atherosclerotic disease in his left anterior descending coronary artery. Although this condition placed him at an increased risk for a sudden incapacitating event, including a heart attack, stroke, or arrhythmia that could cause acute symptoms without leaving evidence on autopsy, his autopsy did not show any evidence of an acute event. Additionally, the surviving copilot did not report that the pilot had experienced an impairing or incapacitating event, and they were both making efforts to correct the power loss and land the airplane. The autopsy also noted evidence of medical intervention on the fatally injured pilot. Atropine, a drug used for resuscitation that was detected on toxicology testing, was likely administered in life-saving efforts. Thus, the pilot’s cardiovascular condition would not have contributed to this accident, and the detection of atropine was from post-accident treatment.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power due to the flight crew incorrectly placing the fuel selector between fuel tank detents, which resulted in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a placard on the fuel selector, the lack of obvious fuel tank detents in the fuel selector, and the flight crew’s lack of understanding of proper fuel selector operation.
Findings
Aircraft (general) - Failure
Aircraft Fuel selector/shutoff valve - Malfunction
Aircraft Fuel selector/shutoff valve - Incorrect use/operation
Aircraft Fuel selector/shutoff valve - Not serviced/maintained
Personnel issues Use of equip/system - Flight crew
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute Fuel starvation (Defining event)
Enroute Loss of engine power (total)
Enroute Attempted remediation/recovery
Enroute Off-field or emergency landing
Landing Collision during takeoff/land
On March 6, 2021, about 1217 central standard time, a Beech 35 airplane, N3394V, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Palestine, Texas. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the private copilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.
The airplane was recently purchased by the copilot. The pilot traveled from out of state to help the copilot fly the airplane from Chambers County Airport (T00), Anahuac, Texas, to the copilot’s hangar at Airpark East Airport (1F7), Dallas, Texas, a distance of about 200 nautical miles. The day before the accident, a pre-buy/annual inspection was performed by a mechanic on the airplane with no issues annotated in the maintenance records. The copilot reported that the generator was not functioning, and the placard on the fuel selector was present. The airplane was topped off with 100 low lead fuel. According to the copilot, the left fuel tank contained 17 gallons, the right fuel tank contained 17 gallons, and the auxiliary fuel tank in the baggage compartment contained 20 gallons for a total of 54 gallons.
On the day of the accident, the pilot and copilot performed traffic pattern maneuvers, and no issues were noted with the airplane except for the inoperative generator. They then departed for 1F7. The flight was conducted with the retractable landing gear extended. During the flight, both pilots flew the airplane. The copilot reported that the fuel gauges “worked normally,” that the carburetor heat was not on during the flight, and that they were running the engine “rich” during the flight “in order to keep the engine cylinders cool.” About 43 minutes into the flight, the fuel in the left fuel tank was “depleted,” and the crew switched to the right fuel tank with no issues. The pilot was concerned about “maximizing” the airplane’s fuel capacity and suggested using the auxiliary fuel tank. The copilot switched to the auxiliary fuel tank, and a total loss of engine power occurred.
The copilot then switched the fuel selector to its “opposite position,” but the engine did not regain power. The copilot switched back to the right fuel tank with no change noted. The crew then initiated the emergency restart procedure, and they used the hand fuel pump as they attempted to restart the engine five or six times with no success.
The pilot transferred the flight controls to the copilot for the forced landing. The copilot maneuvered the airplane through the canopy of several trees, and the airplane came to rest upright on a grass field on a ranch. The copilot egressed from the airplane and contacted first responders with a cellular phone.
Examination of the copilot’s cellular phone at the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB’s) Vehicle Records Laboratory revealed that during the accident flight at 1203, the copilot sent a text message to the previous airplane owner asking what position on the fuel selector was for the auxiliary fuel tank. Starting at 1213, the co-pilot received three text messages from the mechanic describing three positions for the fuel selector.
Co-pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 61,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: April 3, 2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1300 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0.3 hours (Total, this make and model), 1998 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Flight instructor
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: Lap only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 7, 2013
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1207 hours (Total, all aircraft)
The personal flight logs of the copilot and the pilot were not available for review during the investigation.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N3394V
Model/Series: 35 Undesignated Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1947
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: D869
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 5, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 1.5 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3036.9 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: E-185-8
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 205 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Does Business As: None
Operator Designator Code: None
The limitations section of the Beech 35 Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), which contained the limitations required by regulation, discussed the airplane fuel system and stated that the standard fuel system was two 20-gallon wing fuel tanks with a total of 35 gallons of usable fuel. The optional fuel system, which was installed in the airplane, consisted of the two 20-gallon wing tanks and one 20-gallon auxiliary fuel tank installed in the baggage compartment that added 19 gallons of usable fuel to the system. The limitations section of the POH also stated, “when operating fuel selector, feel for detent position,” and it included a diagram showing the placard that was required to be installed on the fuel selector valve. The placard showed four positions for the fuel selector: right main tank at 3 o’clock, off at 6 o’clock, left tank at 9 o’clock, and auxiliary tank at 12 o’clock.
A review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that the most recent work performed before the pre-buy/annual inspection on the day before the accident was an annual inspection in August 2012. The mechanic reported there were no issues noted with the airplane during the annual inspection performed one day prior to the accident and the mechanic classified the airplane as “complete.” Before August 2012, annual inspections were performed in October 2010 and April 1994.
Raytheon Aircraft Company issued Service Bulletin 2760, titled “Placards and Markings – Installation of Fuel Selector Placard,” in May 1998. This document was applicable to the accident airplane and stated in part:
This Service Bulletin is being issued to add placards to the fuel selector because Raytheon Aircraft Company has received reports of incidents and accidents involving Beech piston airplanes in which engine stoppage may have been caused by incorrectly positioning the fuel selector between tank detents.
A review of the airplane’s maintenance records did not reveal any references to Service Bulletin 2760, which Raytheon Aircraft Company classified as mandatory. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not mandate compliance with service bulletins for 14 CFR Part 91 operations.
The FAA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-05-13 in April 1999, which was applicable to the accident airplane, and stated, in part:
This AD requires installing a placard on the fuel tank selector to warn of the no-flow condition that exists between the fuel tank detents. This AD is the result of reports of engine stoppage on the affected airplanes where the cause was considered to be incorrect positioning of the fuel selector. The actions specified by this AD are intended to help prevent a lack of fuel flow to the engine caused by incorrect positioning of the fuel selector, which could result in loss of engine power.
The FAA later withdrew the AD in July 2000. The maintenance records did not show a record of this AD being complied with while it was active.
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPSN,423 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 341°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 60°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.32 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 3°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Anahuac, TX (T00)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Dallas, TX (1F7)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 10:45 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
According to FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-34 Carburetor Icing Prevention, at the time of the accident, the airplane was likely operating in conditions conducive to the formation of serious icing at glide power.
The estimated density altitude for the accident site was 194 ft above mean sea level.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 31.713756,-95.677195 (est)
LaRue F. Allen
1956 - 2021
~
LaRue F. Allen, 65, of Addison, NY and Winchester, KY, died suddenly on Saturday, March 6, 2021 in Tyler, TX, doing what he loved most, piloting private aircraft.
LaRue was born in Hornell, NY on February 8, 1956, the son of the late Freeman W. and Eva L. (Brewer) Allen. Raised in Cameron, he was a 1975 graduate of Addison Central School. Following high school, LaRue studied Ceramic Engineering at Alfred University. He decided that that was not the career path for him so he attended Aviation School in Foxborough, MA.
LaRue settled in Texas and was employed by AT&T in Dallas for 35 years. He retired from there as a troubleshooting lineman. He then drove tractor trailer for a few years before moving back to Steuben County.
On November 29, 2013, he married Holly J. Woodard at the Hedgesville Presbyterian Church.
LaRue was an avid pilot and held a pilot’s license all during adulthood. He adored his family and took great pride in their achievements.
Surviving is his wife, Holly Allen of Addison, children, Ainsley L. Allen of Lompoc, CA, Grant C. (Lora) Allen of Wheatfield, IN and Ross E. (Holly) Allen of Fort Hood, Temple, TX, bonus children, Joyce (Adam) Smith of Cameron, David (Julie) Stuart II of Hornell and Gerald (Vicky) Stuart of Woodhull, grandchildren, Jean Grey Allen, Penny Nicole Allen, Garen Knight Allen, Fyra Allen, Eli Clark Allen, Cierra Austin, Breanna Mendez, Cody Stuart, Dyllan Stuart, Aleah Stuart, Savannah Stuart, Desirea Stuart and Kahley Stuart, brothers, Arnold Allen of Winchester, KY and Hugh (Darlene) Allen of Springwater, brothers and sisters in law, Martin (Sharon) Woodard of Adrian, NY, Tresha Bouton of Cameron Mills, Dean (Denise) Woodard of Cameron Mills and Thomas Woodard of Millersville, MD, many nieces, nephews and cousins and his pride and joy, Miss Lily the mule and Shawnee Iris his horse and several cats. He was preceded in death by his parents, Freeman and Eva Allen and his sister, Velta Gros Jean.
Following LaRue’s wishes, his remains are being donated to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN for forensic research.
Memorial donations can be made to any charity for the benefit of animals or family assistance. These are things dear to his heart.
Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull, New York.
Location: Palestine, TX
Accident Number: CEN21LA151
Date & Time: March 6, 2021, 13:40 Local
Registration: N3394V
Aircraft: Beech 35
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On March 6, 2021, about 1340 central standard time, a Beech 35 airplane, N3394V, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Palestine, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and the private pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The airplane was recently purchased by the pilot and was being transported to the pilot’s home residence in the greater Dallas, Texas area. The pilot reported that while enroute, the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. The airplane impacted trees and came to rest in a grass field on a ranch about 4 miles southwest of Palestine. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
A Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector and an air safety investigator from Textron Aviation traveled to the accident site to conduct documentation activities. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site for a future examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N3394V
Model/Series: 35
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPSN,423 ft msl
Observation Time: 13:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C /2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 30°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.29 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Anahuac, TX
Destination: Dallas, TX
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 31.711163,-95.678754 (est)
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board stated that the passenger in a plane crash that occurred in Anderson County on March 6 died because of his or her injuries. The pilot suffered serious injuries.
According to the NTSB’s preliminary report, the airplane that crashed was a single-engine Beech 35. The crash occurred at about 1:40 p.m. on March 6.
“The airplane was recently purchased by the pilot and was being transported to the pilot’s home residence in the greater Dallas, Texas area,” the report stated. “The pilot reported that while enroute, the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered the plane for a forced landing.”
During its crash landing, the airplane struck trees and came to rest in a grass field about four miles southwest of Palestine. The plane suffered “substantial” damage to both wings and its fuselage.
The pilot and passenger were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.
According to the preliminary report, a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector and an air safety inspector from Textron Aviation went to the crash site “to conduct documentation activities.” The wreckage was recovered from the crash site so that the airframe, engine, and propeller could be examined.
The airplane departed from Anahuac, the report stated. No flight plan was filed.
The report did not identify the pilot or the passenger, and it did not go into detail about what might have caused the plane’s engine to lose power.
A previous East Texas News story stated that the field where the airplane crashed is in the 5000 block of FM 1990.
According to Texas DPS Sgt. Sara Warren, troopers responded to the scene around 1:50 p.m. March 6, in the 5000 block of FM 1990 at Gum Creek Ranch.
Warren said two people were on board, both injured and transported to local hospitals.
Jeff Jeffcoat posted a message to the Friends and Pilots of Palestine Municipal Airport Facebook group telling members the victims were not local.
“Just wanted to let everyone know that the plane that went down in Anderson County is not from our airport,” he stated. “All of our folks are accounted for and safe.”
Warren said the investigation will be handed over to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine probable cause of the accident.
ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas — Two people have been taken to a local hospital with serious injuries following a small plane crash in Anderson County.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, around 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, troopers were called to a Beechcraft C35 Bonanza crash in a field at 5236 Farm-to-Market Road 1900, just southwest of Palestine.
Two people were seriously injured and are being treated at a local hospital.
CORSICANA, Texas (KETK) – Two people were hospitalized after a plane crash in Anderson County.
On March 6, around 1:49 p.m., Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers were called to a single engine airplane crash in a field at the address of 5236 FM 1990.
There were two people on board, both were transported to local hospitals due to sustaining serious injuries.
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