Socata TB-20 accident near Mobile, Alabama, October 7, 1996
On October 7, 1996 at about 10:53 pm local time, a Socata TB-20, registered N59TB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mobile, Alabama. It was an executive or corporate 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 management of fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power during a go-around, and subsequent collision with trees and terrain during a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 7, 1996 · about 10:53 pm local time
- Place
- Mobile, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Socata TB-20 · all TB-20s on the register
- Registration
- N59TB · no longer on the register · serial 501
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Executive or corporate flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that after completing an ILS approach, he made a go-around. Shortly thereafter the engine began to sputter. The pilot reversed course and attempted a forced landing; however, the airplane collided with trees and terrain. Examination of the crash site revealed the left fuel tank was ruptured. There was no odor of fuel or evidence of any leakage of fuel. The right fuel tank was not ruptured, and no fuel was present in the right fuel tank. Also, no fuel was present in the fuel filter or fuel distributor valve. The engine was placed in an engine test cell. The engine started, developed power, and was operated for 20 minutes before being shut down.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,671 hours in all; 255 in this make and model; 258 in the last 90 days; 81 in the last 30 days; 1,629 as pilot in command; 483 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,163 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 10, 1996; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,086 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-C4D5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GPM Grand Prairie TX at 6:57 pm
- Destination: MOB
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,100 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:28 pm from MOB, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.