Says Prop Wasn't Turning When Bonanza Went Down

Another fuel starvation accident... that's what the National Transportation Safety Board's factual report on the crash of a Bonanza earlier this year near Montrose, CO seems to indicate.

The lineman who towed the plane out of the hangar the morning of July 3, 2006 told the NTSB he checked the fuel and offered to top off the tanks, but the pilot declined. If the lineman's estimate was accurate... the NTSB says the plane had approximately 18.5 gallons when it departed the airport near Rifle, CO, bound for Montrose.

The plane's owner and his flight instructor were aboard. As Aero-News reported, the owner had just purchased the aircraft and was training to meet insurance requirements.

Witnesses said the engine wasn't running when the plane impacted the cab of a parked semi-truck. Both persons onboard died in the subsequent accident.

The truck and plane burned following the crash... but NTSB investigators say impact damage indicates the prop wasn't turning.

The plane had been flying for around an hour and 15 minutes, making two takeoffs.

Performance charts for the Beech A36TC say the engine burns 3.5 gallons for each departure and anywhere from 9.5 to 14 gallons for each hour of cruise at 10,000 feet if properly leaned.

FMI: Read The Full NTSB Factual Report