Beech 95-B55 (T42A) N9420Y accident near Eustis, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after a total loss of right engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot did not provide a statement, but the passenger stated the purpose of the flight was to go to another, unspecified airport to get fuel. The passenger recalled getting into the airplane and the pilot taxing to the end of the runway uneventfully. The pilot began the takeoff and as the nose of the airplane left the pavement, the right engine “sputtered out.” The left engine continued to produce power and the airplane immediately veered to the right where it impacted trees and ultimately came to rest on the shore of a pond. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage during the accident sequence.

A postaccident examination of the engines and airframe did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanic malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The examination also found that all four of the airplane’s fuel tanks were intact and that only a small, unmeasurable, quantity of fluid consistent with fuel was present. Given that the pilot did not provide a statement, it could not be determined what his preflight fuel planning actions were. Based on the lack of appreciable fuel found during the postaccident examination, in combination with no other findings suggesting a mechanical reason for the loss of engine power to the right engine, the most likely reason for the loss of engine power was fuel starvation. Following the loss of right engine power, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane while the airplane’s left engine continued to operate, which resulted in the subsequent runway excursion.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA250 for the full record.