Event FTW03TA087

Factual narrative

On January 18, 2003, approximately 1915 central standard time, a Beech T-34B single-engine airplane, N20684, was destroyed during a forced landing when it impacted trees and the terrain following a total loss of engine power during cruise flight near Hammond, Louisiana. The instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the North Island Navy Flying Club of San Diego, California. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the public use ferry flight. The cross-country flight departed the Suwannee County Airport, Live Oak, Florida, approximately 1515, and was destined for San Diego, California, with a scheduled stop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that approximately 4 hours into the flight, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot declared "Mayday", pitched the airplane to its published best glide airspeed, and initiated emergency engine re-start procedures. The engine re-start was unsuccessful, the pilot contacted air traffic control, requested vectors to the nearest airport, and activated the airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT). After an unsuccessful second attempt to re-start the engine, the pilot executed a forced landing to "the lightest colored area of vegatation." During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and the terrain, and came to rest upright. The pilot added that when he exited the airplane, he noted a "strong odor of aviation fuel." The pilot reported that 52 gallons of fuel was on board at the last takeoff, and each fuel tank was placarded "26 gallons US". According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the accident site was located approximately 5 nautical miles east-northeast of Hammond. The inspector reported that "there was no fuel in the fuel tanks," and there was no evidence of fuel found at the accident site. In addition, the inspector reported that the airplane was to be operated during Day/VMC (visual meteorological conditions) only. Approximately 3 hours into the cross-country flight, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine; however, the attempts were unsuccessful. Due to the night conditions, the pilot executed a forced landing to "the lightest colored area of vegatation." During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and the terrain, and came to rest upright. An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that "there was no fuel in the fuel tanks," and no evidence of fuel was found at the accident site. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12