Pilot Debrief

BEECH 35-33 near Lehi, UT — 2009-12-09

Final reportWPR10LA076
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Date
2009-12-09
Location
Lehi, UT, USA
Aircraft
BEECH 35-33
Registration
N316Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses monitoring the common traffic advisory frequency for the pilot's intended destination reported that they overheard a radio transmission “mayday mayday, I am at the point of the mountain, 5,100 feet, my engine just quit.” Witnesses located adjacent to the accident site reported observing the airplane on a westerly heading near a major interstate when it suddenly banked to the right to a northerly heading before it descended into terrain. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest upright in a grassy, snow-covered area. The fuel selector valve was observed in the “right main” fuel tank position. The wreckage recovery company reported the airplane contained sufficient quantities of aviation fuel in the left and right main fuel tanks, and a minimal amount of fuel was found in the left and right auxiliary tanks. Examination of the recovered airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The recovered engine was removed from the airframe and subsequently installed on an engine test stand. The engine was successfully run at various power settings with no anomalies noted. Due to the pilot's injuries, he reported no memory of the accident sequence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel selector and auxiliary pump before engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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