Beech A-36 accident near Bedford, Massachusetts, May 27, 2000
On May 27, 2000 at about 9:03 pm local time, a Beech A-36, registered N66SB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bedford, Massachusetts (Hanscom Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2000 · about 9:03 pm local time
- Place
- Bedford, Massachusetts · Hanscom Field
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A-36 · all A-36s on the register
- Registration
- N66SB · registry record · serial E921
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed on a cross-country flight with an estimated 64 gallons of usable fuel onboard. About two hours into the flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport and placed the fuel selector on the left tank. While on final approach, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the right main tank, and momentarily turned on the fuel boost pump switch. The pilot was unable to start the engine, and landed short of the runway. The pilot reported that there should have been 12 gallons of fuel in both the left and right main wing tanks. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main tank, left tip tank, and right tip tank were empty. Approximately 20 gallons of fuel were drained from the right main tank. No mechanical deficiencies were noted with the engine or fuel system.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,482 hours in all; 487 in this make and model; 68 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 1,270 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,442 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 22, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PHL Philadelphia PA at 7:18 pm
- Destination: BED MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 29, 7,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; scat at 8,500 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:05 pm from BED, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number IAD00LA045.