Primary finding
Probable cause
A complete, non mechanical failure of the power plant for unknown reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During final approach after completing a 2 hour 45 minute cross country flight, a power loss occurred and the pilot conducted a forced landing in a field 1/4 mile short of the runway. Performance and historical data indicate that at the time of the forced landing 72 gallons of fuel should have been aboard the aircraft. How the fuel was distributed is unknown. Following the accident, the engine was run on a test cell and performed normally.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 22, 1993, at 1000 mountain daylight time, a Beech A36TC, N321TJ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing approximately one quarter mile short of runway 26R at Pueblo Regional Airport, Pueblo, Colorado. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries, and one passenger no injuries. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight which originated earlier in the day from Addison, Texas, with a fuel stop at Olathe, Kansas. According to the pilot, while on approach to Pueblo, he noted that the fuel flow was abnormally high. This was followed by a complete engine power loss. The pilot said he went through emergency procedures; however, the engine failed to respond and he conducted a forced landing on rough terrain. According to information supplied by the pilot, the flight departed Olathe with 132 gallons of fuel aboard. This was distributed with the mains being full and each tip tank containing approximately 10 gallons. The time airborne from Olathe was approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. According to performance data, the aircraft should have arrived in Pueblo with approximately 72 gallons aboard. How this fuel was distributed in the tanks is unknown. Following the accident, the engine was removed and sent to the facilities of Continental Motors at Mobile, Alabama. The engine was mounted on a test cell with a club propeller and operated in a normal fashion. -