At 22:35 eastern time, a Beechcraft BE-55 crashed two miles short of runway 24 at Erie International Airport. The pilot sustained minor injuries. That day the pilot had flown from Erie to Dunkirk, N.Y. and Concord, N.C., then flew back to Dunkirk and was returning to Erie when the accident occurred. The pilot said he did not visually check the fuel level in either tank prior to departing on the final leg and relied on the fuel gauges. As he approached Erie, the left fuel gauge was showing empty, so he positioned the fuel selector to what he thought would feed fuel from the right tank to both engines. The Baron did not have that capability, and the pilot admitted to investigators that, despite 500 hours in make and model, he was unsure of the cross-feeding procedures for the airplane.
June 8, Erie, Pa. / Beech Baron
At 22:35 eastern time, a Beechcraft BE-55 crashed two miles short of runway 24 at Erie International Airport. The pilot sustained minor injuries. That day the pilot had flown from Erie to Dunkirk, N.Y. and Concord, N.C., then flew back to Dunkirk and was returning to Erie when the accident occurred. The pilot said he did not visually check the fuel level in either tank prior to departing on the final leg and relied on the fuel gauges. As he approached Erie, the left fuel gauge was showing empty, so he positioned the fuel selector to what he thought would feed fuel from the right tank to both engines. The Baron did not have that capability, and the pilot admitted to investigators that, despit...
Key Takeaways:
- A Beechcraft BE-55 crashed near Erie International Airport due to a fuel-related issue after the pilot mismanaged the fuel system.
- The pilot attempted to cross-feed fuel from the right tank, but the aircraft lacked this capability, and the pilot admitted unfamiliarity with the correct procedures.
- Contributing to the accident, the pilot relied on fuel gauges instead of visually checking fuel levels before the final leg of the flight.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
