Beech A36 accident near Austin, Texas, August 4, 2015
On August 4, 2015 at about 6:05 pm local time, a 1976 Beech A36, registered N17544, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Austin, Texas (Austin-Bergstrom Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to an excessively rich fuel mixture as a result of the improper adjustment of the fuel pump aneroid.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 2015 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- Austin, Texas · Austin-Bergstrom Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36, built 1976 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N17544 · no longer on the register · serial E-977
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a maintenance test flight, the airplane's fuel flow was slightly below normal, about 25-26 gallons per hour (gph) when it was normally 30-31 gph. The pilot selected the boost pump to "HIGH" and the fuel flow increased to 30 gph. A few seconds later, the fuel flow dropped to about 3 gph, and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot switched the boost pump off and on; however, the fuel flow did not chang. When the throttle was reduced, the engine momentarily surged. Engine power could not be restored, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. An engine run was conducted after the accident, during which the engine again experienced a loss of power. The engine's fuel pump was removed and flow tested according to the supplemental type certificate holder's specifications. At an engine setting of 2,700 rpm, the fuel pump's flow pressure was 59.2 pounds per square inch (psi), above the maximum of 31 psi. The fuel pump's aneroid was found to be set incorrectly and was adjusted. During the subsequent flow test, the pump produced 31.3 gph. (The recommended maximum fuel flow for the fuel pump is 32 gph.) Review of maintenance logs revealed that the fuel pump was overhauled about 5 flight hours before the accident flight. It is likely that the aneroid was improperly set during this overhaul, which resulted in excessive fuel flow pressure. The fuel pump was not the fuel pump recommended by the manufacturer; however, that did not play a role in the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel pump › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,400 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 5, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 2, 2015; 102 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,651 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BA12A (piston); 6,214 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AUS Austin TX at 6:00 pm
- Destination: AUS Austin TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,800 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KAUS, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on December 22, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Engine Data (Fuel Flow and Rpm) | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Flight Data - Csv | data file | Download |
| 4 | Engine Run Data | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Run Notes | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Report from Fuel Pump Flow | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Logbook Pages | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.