Pilot Debrief

BEECH S35 near Brownwood, TX — 2013-10-08

Final reportCEN14LA002
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Date
2013-10-08
Location
Brownwood, TX, USA
Airport
BWD
Aircraft
BEECH S35
Registration
N6861Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from a foreign material in the fuel system blocking the fuel flow to the engine.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was making a straight-in approach to land when the engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently impacted trees, cacti, and terrain during the attempted off-airport landing, and a postimpact fire ensued, which destroyed the fuselage. The pilot sustained second- and third-degree burns, but he was able to extricate himself from the wreckage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that foreign material was present on the fuel pump vanes, the fuel manifold, and the fuel metering unit inlet screen; this material would have blocked the fuel flow to the engine. No other anomalies were noted that would have prevented normal operation of the engine. The foreign material closely matched polyester, but the source of the material could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach upon noticing engine issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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