# Accident 19970330003959A: Beech M35, Wichita Falls, TX, March 30, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 30, 1997, 15:30 local time
- Place: Wichita Falls, TX
- Airport: Wichita Valley Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.9504° N, 98.6804° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9504&lon=-98.6804&mi=10
- Aircraft: N223C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N223C-2011-01-03) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech M35 (registry code 1151526, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-m35) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental I0-470 series (registry code 17027, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH M35
- Reported engine: CONT IO470C
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,500 total, 4 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW97LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA147) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970330003959A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ENGINE SIEZED ON TAKEOFF. OIL ON WINDSHIELD. CRASH LANDED. HAD THROWN A ROD. PISTON BROKE. DETONATION DUE AUTO FUEL (-23) AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF FROM F14 AND 20 SECONDS INTO FLIGHT ON TURN OUT, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT TURNED AIRCRAFT TO LAND BACK ON THE FIELD AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. PILOT LOWERED THE GEAR AND FLAPS AND LANDED IN FIELD, CROSSING A DITCH AND COMING TO REST ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF DITCH. AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. NO INJURIES OCCURRED TO PILOT OR PASSENGER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW97LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA147), Mar 30, 1997: Beech M35 (N223C), Iowa Park, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's refueling of the airplane with automotive grade fuel which resulted in engine failure due to detonation. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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