NTSB Factual Report

On May 2, 2004, at 2030 eastern daylight time, a Beech 65 Excalibur, N870KS, registered to and operated by Quueenair Inc., collided with the ground following a loss of engine power in Winder, Georgia. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot received serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight departed Lawrenceville, Georgia, on May 2, 2004, at 2015.

Prior to the flight, the pilot reported that the airplane had intermediate magneto drops in power. According to the pilot, he was enroute to Winder-Barrow County Airport, Winder, Georgia, for routine maintenance. The airplane lost power in the right engine first. The left engine lost power approximately 30 seconds later. The pilot stated he immediately looked for a suitable landing area. He selected and open field away from populated areas, and elected to land with the landing gear retracted. The airplane collided with the ground one mile southeast of the airport.

Examination of the wreckage site revealed the airplane came to rest in an open field on a heading 005 degrees magnetic. The wreckage path was approximately 200 feet long and 120 feet wide. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right wing was separated at the upper attachment points. The left wing had spar damage. Both sides of the fuselage were buckled. The right propeller assembly was separated at the crankshaft.

Examination of the fuel tanks revealed that both inboard main fuel tanks were empty. Both auxiliary fuel tanks were approximately half full. Trace amounts of fuel were recovered from the left fuel line and no fuel was recovered from the right fuel line. During the examination of the airplane, no fuel leakage or fuel stains were observed on the airframe. Further examination of the airplane revealed the right fuel selector was in the main detent position, and the left fuel selector was observed 15 degrees away from the main detent position.

According to refueling records, the airplane was last refueled in Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 1, 2004 with 107 gallons of 100 low lead fuel. On May 2, 2004, the pilot flew for 3.2 hours from Kalamazoo, Michigan to Lawrenceville, Georgia. At 1910 on May 2, 2004, the pilot departed Lawrenceville, Georgia with a Certified Flight Instructor on a local flight lasting 20 minutes for purposes of demonstrating autopilot capabilities.

According to the pilot, at the time of takeoff from Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 2, 2004, the fuel selector was on the main tanks. He stated that at cruise altitude, he switched to the auxiliary fuel tanks. He stated that he switched back to the main fuel tanks at the time of initial descent into Lawrenceville, Georgia terminal area. He also stated that the local flight from Lawrenceville, Georgia was conducted solely on the main fuel tanks, as was the flight to Winder, Georgia.

The Certified Flight Instructor who flew with the pilot on May 2, 2004, prior to the accident flight reported that before departing on a 20-minute local flight at Lawrenceville, Georgia, he observed both fuel selector valves on the main position and fuel gages reading one-quarter full in both main tanks and one-half full in both auxiliary fuel tanks.

Further examination of the engines revealed that both fuel sumps were damaged. External examination of both engines revealed full intake and exhaust valve action, internal component rotation was accomplished, and compression and suction in all cylinders were noted. Both fuel flow dividers were dry and free of debris when examined. The magnetos were checked for internal and engine timing: both engine magnetos were within prescribed limits. Also, both engine magnetos produced ignition sparks on all ignition leads when rotated.

A review of the airplane logbooks revealed that the right engine magneto was retimed on April 22, 2004. At the time of maintenance the airplane's total time in service was 1200.5. At the time of the accident the total time of the airplane was 1213.8.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of power in both engines.