Pilot Debrief

Beech 35 near Knox, IN — 2018-08-04

Final reportCEN18LA319
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Date
2018-08-04
Location
Knox, IN, USA
Airport
OXI
Aircraft
Beech 35
Registration
N533JW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot and three passengers were on a cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane. About 10 miles from the destination airport, the pilot switched to the fullest fuel tank, entered the traffic pattern, and reduced the throttle to slow the airplane. While on final approach, he advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot turned the boost pump on to "emergency – high," but the engine still did not respond. Shortly after, the pilot turned the boost pump off and conducted a forced landing in a field, during which the engine was bent downward from the firewall and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The on-site examination found sufficient fuel available in each of the wing fuel tanks. Additionally, fuel was present in the fuel lines near the engine's fuel manifold. A detailed engine examination and download of the engine monitor were conducted after airplane recovery. A review of the engine data for the day of the accident found three files. The last file corresponded to the accident flight, and the monitor indicated 30.4 gallons used. The pilot reported the fuel at last takeoff was 33 gallons. The engine examination did not find any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although data from the engine monitor indicated that the airplane was very low on fuel, the on-site examination showed various levels of fuel available in the fuel tanks. Thus, it is likely that the airplane's engine monitor did not accurately reflect the airplane's correct fuel state. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels more thoroughly before approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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