Beech B-60 accident near Farmingdale, New York, November 5, 2022
On November 5, 2022 at about 1:51 pm local time, a 1973 Beech B-60, registered N51AL, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (IFR initial approach) near Farmingdale, New York (Republic Airport). It was a business 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
The pilot’s improper preflight inspection of the airplane’s fuel system, resulting in him commencing the flight with an inadequate fuel supply.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2022 · about 1:51 pm local time · cases in 2022
- Place
- Farmingdale, New York · Republic Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B-60, built 1973 · all B-60s on the register
- Registration
- N51AL · registry record · serial P-247
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was under the impression that his airplane’s inboard fuel tanks had been topped and he had 202 gallons on board prior to departure. He had a “standing order” with the airport’s fixed base operator to top the tanks; however, the fueling was not accomplished and he did not visually check the fuel level prior to departure. He entered 202 gallons in cockpit fuel computer and unknowingly commenced the flight with 61 gallons on board. Prior to reaching his destination, his fuel supply was exhausted, both engines lost all power, and he performed a forced landing in a cemetery about one mile from the airport. The pilot and his passenger had minor injuries. Inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration examined the wreckage and determined that damage to the wings and fuselage was substantial. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Fuel exhaustion during approach (IFR initial approach) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level other cases naming the fuel system
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,672 hours in all; 173 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 4,039 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 29, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,476 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 28, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 7,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4 (piston); 6,590 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4 (piston); 6,590 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BTV Burlington VT at 12:30 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KFRG, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFRG 051753Z 20014KT 10SM FEW041 BKN060 23/16 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP237 T02280161 10233 20172 58018
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – Main Wreckage (FAA Photo)
Photo 2 - Main Wreckage (FAA Photo)
Photo 3 – Forward Fuselage and Right Wing (FAA Photo)
Photo 4 – Left Engine Propeller (FAA Photo)The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on June 7, 2023. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Written Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N51AL on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Beechcraft B-60 186 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Beechcraft 6 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4 9 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-541-E1C4 9 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Republic Airport · nearest airport
- Patrick Leahy Burlington International · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in New York 1,964 since 1982 · 249 in the last ten years
- New York 6,659 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA23LA050.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.