tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post2397439649536243880..comments2024-03-28T21:15:11.065-04:00Comments on Kathryn's Report: Fuel Starvation: Beech 35 Bonanza, N3394V; fatal accident occurred March 06, 2021 near Palestine Municipal Airport (KPSN), Anderson County, TexasUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-70262077511182917222022-09-05T22:08:50.745-04:002022-09-05T22:08:50.745-04:00Thank you, that is useful information! Yes, the pi...Thank you, that is useful information! Yes, the pilot made a mistake in the choice of people and procedures to inspect his aircraft not a lack of pilot skills. Anyone with his experience should have know better, but in the end it was the mechanics lack of due diligents in his inspection that left the pilot without the critical knowledge of how to use a complex fuel pump/selector valve, NOT fuel Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-46490194922431651472022-09-05T20:07:17.243-04:002022-09-05T20:07:17.243-04:00Interesting that the new owner had two PA-28R-180 ...Interesting that the new owner had two PA-28R-180 aircraft before the Bonanza, N5368T from 2009 through 2019 and N270FR from August 2020 through August 2021. Had a PA-28 N5303W before those retract birds. No crash history or incidents show up for his ownership of those three.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-56159911205898032022022-09-05T16:39:55.896-04:002022-09-05T16:39:55.896-04:00I agree, even if they got this aircraft back in th...I agree, even if they got this aircraft back in the new owners hanger, sooner or later something would have taken it out. This plane had a steady diet of "Arm Chair" annuals. Since the new owner thought another one would be just fine you can see that he has no understanding of the complexity of a good airworthiness inspection. <br /><br />In Mr. Roberts written testimony and phone call Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-74806533154327322292022-09-05T14:12:41.020-04:002022-09-05T14:12:41.020-04:00The fuse was lit for this "accident" on ...The fuse was lit for this "accident" on the day of the sale and nothing was going to put it out. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-55950021417281894462022-09-03T16:50:25.270-04:002022-09-03T16:50:25.270-04:00Bonanza 100 hr. / Annual Inspection Check List:
F...Bonanza 100 hr. / Annual Inspection Check List:<br /><br />For anyone that maybe interested I had attached the URL of the 100 hr. annual inspection check list that we used in our FAA repair station when we did either inspection. If you view this document you will clearly understand that it is impossible to properly inspect any Bonanza in 1 day regardless of the condition of the aircraft. <br /><Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-84090151833529572022022-09-02T22:05:15.783-04:002022-09-02T22:05:15.783-04:00I wonder if they were bucking a strong northerly w...I wonder if they were bucking a strong northerly wind? Palestine's airport main runway is 360 - 180. March can be windy in Texas. Dragging the landing gear with a head wind may have been why they were done low. Very bad idea right after a "Magic" annual inspection.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-36604347657485604192022-09-02T21:22:11.400-04:002022-09-02T21:22:11.400-04:00Among the mistakes, the low travel altitude stands...Among the mistakes, the low travel altitude stands out. Flew at 1,800' MSL. Elevation where the fan quit was about 400 MSL, so 1400' AGL. Lucky to be near KPLS, but no joy, hit the ground short by 4 miles. Map view of where the bird ended up has open areas big enough that this would have easily ended better from just a bit more travel alt.<br />http://maps.google.com/maps?t=k&q=loc:Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-79530534937216611142022-09-02T14:44:08.020-04:002022-09-02T14:44:08.020-04:00The cause of this accident should be changed from ...The cause of this accident should be changed from “Fuel Starvation” to “Missing Placards”. <br /><br />There are conflicting accounts from the mechanic/IA Mr. Chris Barnes, SIC Mr. Francis Roberts, and the docket report file investigating team from Textron Aviation. The mechanic and the SIC reported that the fuel selector valve placard was installed. Textron Aviation said the placard was not Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-32253405656737012302022-09-01T19:41:40.911-04:002022-09-01T19:41:40.911-04:00Big potential resale value in those ruddervators f...Big potential resale value in those ruddervators from a hangar-kept 35 if the recovery outfit didn't damage them during haul out. Looks like the ruddervators didn't suffer any damage in the crash. Gotta hope no corrosion was found and another Bonanza has them installed by now.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-57547686409833092422022-09-01T18:45:52.920-04:002022-09-01T18:45:52.920-04:00No kidding, dragging through the trees just before...No kidding, dragging through the trees just before reaching the clearing you are planning to set down in is a great way to get pointed at the ground, lawn dart style.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-91644523766068917712022-09-01T18:45:25.342-04:002022-09-01T18:45:25.342-04:00Flight time contradiction: (1).
Contradictions in...Flight time contradiction: (1).<br /><br />Contradictions in the NTSB docket reports.<br /><br />Information contained in the Garmin Hand help GPS GPS72 placed the total fight time of the accident flight at 2.0 hours, but the testimony of the new owner SIC Mr. Francis Roberts said that 43 minutes into the flight, while selecting the Aux tank the engine quite. <br /><br />If using the GPS data, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-32896725846067572792022-09-01T17:40:19.244-04:002022-09-01T17:40:19.244-04:00It appears that the pilots were very busy in the l...It appears that the pilots were very busy in the last 10 minutes of flight, they were on the cell phone texting for assistance from the old owner and the mechanic on how to position the un-placared fuel selector valve. If it is true that the PIC (right seat) Mr. LaRoe Allen was flying up to the point of engine starvation and he swung the yoke over to SIC (left seat) Mr. Francis Robert, saying &Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-31207780016282524942022-09-01T16:41:36.339-04:002022-09-01T16:41:36.339-04:00Lots of really stupid decisions here, but the one ...Lots of really stupid decisions here, but the one that takes the cake was the idea of "brushing across the trees' canopy" while approaching the chosen landing spot. A moronic idea if I've ever heard of one.MoodyRiverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06338741387732189678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-34718474636519940452022-09-01T11:46:14.375-04:002022-09-01T11:46:14.375-04:00No, what I'm saying is the fuel receipt is for...No, what I'm saying is the fuel receipt is for 54 gallons of fuel as found in the docket. That means 6 gallons of fuel were remaining spread between the 3 tanks and fuel lines etc. We don't know how much unusable fuel was removed from each tank or the fuel lines, gascolator, or carburetor fuel bowl, just the simple fact that 6 gallons of unusable fuel remained in the aircraft. The total Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-92146928136049808672022-09-01T11:18:36.277-04:002022-09-01T11:18:36.277-04:00It's okay if you want to believe that the mech...It's okay if you want to believe that the mechanic's fuel system drain and purge that didn't have the aircraft ready for fresh fuel until late in the afternoon of his working day was just a sump sample and left 3 gallons of 9 year old fuel in each wing tank.<br /><br />Similarity to Watsonville trolling for replies poster is strong in that.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-9685684411646562372022-09-01T10:47:16.626-04:002022-09-01T10:47:16.626-04:00Yes, you are correct, removal of the sump check dr...Yes, you are correct, removal of the sump check drains will get the unusable fuel out if the nose gear is not collapsed, but this mechanic did an annual in less that 1/2 of a day on a Bonanza. If he just opened the gascolator and drained the fuel, then the unusable fuel remained in the tanks. If he hit the sump check drains for a sample of part of the unusable and said "good enough" Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-46334049483139398492022-09-01T09:52:28.097-04:002022-09-01T09:52:28.097-04:00> "6 gallons of fuel remained in the tanks...> "6 gallons of fuel remained in the tanks after the mechanic drain off the old fuel."<br /><br />Why would that ever happen? Opening or removing the sump check drain fitting is how a mechanic gets the 3 gallon residual out, not by using the fuel pickup that can't draw out the residual 3 gallons.<br /><br />This is not a serious discussion...<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-49510273871393135582022-09-01T09:26:31.329-04:002022-09-01T09:26:31.329-04:00I see where you have made an error. When the mecha...I see where you have made an error. When the mechanic drained the fuel tanks the unusable fuel in the tanks remained. 3 gallons in each main and 1 gallon in the Aux tank for a total of 7 gallons of ususable fuel. This left room for 53 gallons of usable fuel to be added from the fuel truck into the aircraft >53 gallons + 7 gallons + 60 gallons total<. If you remember my first posting on thisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-57756642303052933352022-09-01T08:44:35.748-04:002022-09-01T08:44:35.748-04:00Since there is nothing difficult about understandi...Since there is nothing difficult about understanding what the fuel ticket and circumstances of the drained tanks meant to the usable fuel quantity in the wing tanks, what could be the reason for not understanding after several responses were received that explain it?<br /><br />And then:<br /><br />> "Some how you want to add the unusable fuel back into the tank twice in your calculationsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-17917998463365271282022-09-01T00:02:30.904-04:002022-09-01T00:02:30.904-04:00If the aircraft fuel capacity is 40 gallons total ...If the aircraft fuel capacity is 40 gallons total and the usable fuel is 34 gallons then the unusable fuel would be 6 gallons. If the tanks were run dry in flight then you would be put only 34 gallons of fuel back into the tanks. 6 gallons of fuel would be trapped within the tanks and fuel lines. Unusable fuel is not available to the pump or main strainer or the engine. If you removed the tanks Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-1701139879692670662022-08-31T23:23:30.456-04:002022-08-31T23:23:30.456-04:00PERFORMANCE (ISA)
Max cruise speed175 mph (152 kt)...PERFORMANCE (ISA)<br />Max cruise speed175 mph (152 kt)<br />Max range (no reserve)750 miles<br />Fuel capacity (standard)40 U.S. gallons (34 usable)<br /><br />Clipped from the bonanza website listed above: Usable is 34 gallon, that is 17 gallon from each tank. Usable is usable. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-73456378871166244332022-08-31T22:55:35.468-04:002022-08-31T22:55:35.468-04:00Scroll up and read again about how 17 gallons load...Scroll up and read again about how 17 gallons loaded into each empty 20 gallon wing tank only provides 14 usable. Two hours of gear down time aloft at 14 gallons per hour (not 17) depleted the wing tanks, and they failed in the attempt to begin to draw aux fuel at the end of the two hours.<br /><br />Time to let go of the mystery of the aux tank's load gone missing. Unsolvable at this point Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-1599136528897798902022-08-31T22:38:00.394-04:002022-08-31T22:38:00.394-04:00Cheapskate owners seeking to minimize cost of annu...Cheapskate owners seeking to minimize cost of annuals by finding mechanics that do magic annuals impact the income of legitimate independent one-person A&P mechanics but may not take a significant amount of work from established shops. The relentless war on petroleum is likely to have a bigger impact on shop survival in coming years. Time will tell.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-48819744756380828752022-08-31T22:29:57.954-04:002022-08-31T22:29:57.954-04:00Let’s go back and visit the missing fuel problem f...Let’s go back and visit the missing fuel problem for a while. I wanted to double check the fuel burn figures. I went to the American Bonanza Society web site to look at the fuel specifications. <br /><br />https://www.bonanza.org/aircraft-index/browse-by-type/bonanza/bonanza-35/<br /><br />They list the fuel capacity at 40 gallons of which 34 is usable. Each wing tank holds 20 gallons of which 17Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060827553081940333.post-30714744229234338152022-08-31T21:59:49.369-04:002022-08-31T21:59:49.369-04:00Presumably they flew gear down because the non-fun...Presumably they flew gear down because the non-functioning generator put them in a position where the inability to charge the battery was a threat to being able to extend the gear at the destination.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com