NTSB CEN10CA568 — 2010-09-20 · Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Current FAA registration · N17GB

Make / Model: BEECH D17S
Year of manufacture: 1943 · 67 years old at event
Engine: P&W R-985 SERIES (450 hp)
Seats / Engines: 5 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19560326
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A1176C

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N17GB Beech D17S None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Factual narrative

The pilot told FAA inspectors that he was returning from the Reno Air Races and had stopped in Flagstaff, Arizona, to refuel. On final approach to Hicks Airfield, the engine lost power, and the pilot made a forced landing on rough terrain. Both upper and lower left wings were crushed. The pilot said that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. On several occasions, the pilot was requested to complete and return NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report. He failed to comply. The pilot reported to Federal Aviation Administration inspectors that, while on final approach, the engine experienced a total loss of power. He configured the airplane for a forced landing and touched down on rough terrain. As a result of the impact sequence both the upper and lower left wings were crushed. The pilot stated the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Pilot - C
C Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Fluid management - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_CEN10CA568.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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Related research

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