Pilot Debrief

Beech 35 near Gresham, OR — 2019-09-24

Final reportWPR19LA265
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Date
2019-09-24
Location
Gresham, OR, USA
Aircraft
Beech 35
Registration
N5277C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the instructor’s inadequate in-flight fuel management.

NTSB narrative

Before departing on an approximate 1 hour and 20-minute instructional flight, the instructor and student idled on the airplane on the ground for about 30 minutes. While conducting maneuvers, the engine “audibly slowed down drastically” and the propeller and throttle controls did not respond to pilot inputs. The instructor performed a forced landing to a field, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right main fuel tank was intact and void of fuel. The left main fuel tank was full. The fuel selector was found in the right main tank position and the selector valve operated normally after the accident. Based on the available information, it is likely that the entirety of the flight was conducted with the right main fuel tank selected, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Selecting the left fuel tank could have prevented fuel starvation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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