At about 1541 Mountain time, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power while cruising. The pilot diverted to the nearest airport but was forced to land in an open field. The airplane nosed over during rollout and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, he departed Boise with a total of 89 gallons of fuel. Upon landing in Pocatello, 57 gallons of fuel remained. Prior to departing for the return to Boise, he added 20 gallons of fuel to the airplane. Only about two gallons of fuel were found in the tanks.
August 13, 2009, Minidoka, Idaho, Beech A60 Duke
At about 1541 Mountain time, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power while cruising. The pilot diverted to the nearest airport but was forced to land in an open field. The airplane nosed over during rollout and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, he departed Boise with a total of 89 gallons of fuel. Upon landing in Pocatello, 57 gallons of fuel remained. Prior to departing for the return to Boise, he added 20 gallons of fuel to the airplane. Only about two gallons of fuel were found in the tanks.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise, leading to a forced landing in an open field that substantially damaged the aircraft.
- The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries in the incident.
- Only two gallons of fuel were found in the tanks, despite the pilot's account of a much higher fuel load, strongly implying fuel exhaustion as the cause.
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