Pilot Debrief

BEECH 35-C33A near Knoxville, TN — 2013-04-25

Final reportERA13LA214
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Date
2013-04-25
Location
Knoxville, TN, USA
Airport
DKX
Aircraft
BEECH 35-C33A
Registration
N2713T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The loss of engine power during takeoff for a reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations and testing revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

According to the accident pilot, who was also a mechanic at a repair facility that had just completed work on the airplane's engine, the airplane's owner reported that, during his last flight, the engine began running roughly about 7,500 ft. He stated that the owner also reported that turning on the auxiliary fuel pump caused the engine to run "smooth" and that he continued the flight uneventfully. Maintenance personnel, including the accident pilot, examined and tested the engine's induction, ignition, and fuel systems, and the only discrepancy they discovered was that the engine-driven fuel pump inlet fitting was loose. After the examination, the accident pilot performed a preflight inspection and engine run-up with no anomalies noted. The pilot reported that, before initiating the takeoff for the postmaintenance check flight, he chose to activate the auxiliary pump as a precautionary measure; however, the Pilot's Operating Handbook, the pilot's abbreviated checklist, and a placard near the auxiliary fuel pump switch indicated that the auxiliary fuel boost pump should be turned off for takeoff. During the initial climb, when the airplane was less than 200 ft above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot's efforts to restore engine power were unsuccessful, so he performed a forced landing. A postaccident examination and test run of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Although the pilot did not follow the published takeoff procedures, it could not be determined if his use of the auxiliary fuel boost pump during takeoff caused the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have followed checklist to turn off auxiliary fuel pump before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 16 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents16

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