# Accident 19980323010319A: Beech C35BEECH, Rio Linda, CA, March 23, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 23, 1998, 10:25 local time
- Place: Rio Linda, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.6796° N, 121.4493° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6796&lon=-121.4493&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8948A, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8948A-2003-12-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech C35 (registry code 1151508, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental E225 series (registry code 17015, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35BEECH
- Reported engine: CONT E2258
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 115 total, 11 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX98LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA120) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980323010319A

## Narrative

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

(.4) THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS INSIDE A LOCKED HANGAR WHEN HE PERFORMED HIS PREFLIGHT CHECK. HE SAID THE ONLY LIGHT AVAILABLE WAS THE ONE COMING THROUGH THE HANGAR SKYLIGHT.  DURING THE VISUAL CHECK OF THE FUEL LEVELS IT APPEARED FROM LIGHT REFLECTIONS THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE TANK OPENINGS.  ACCORDING TO THE FAA INSPECTOR WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE ON-SCENE, THE LEFT WING WAS FOUND SEVERED FROM THE FUSELAGE AND LYING INVERTED.  THE FUEL TANK WAS SPLIT OPEN WITH ONLY A SLIGHT HINT OF FUEL AND NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL SPILL ON THE GROUND.  THE RIGHT WING FUEL CAP WAS OPENED AND NO FUEL COULD BE SEEN IN THE TANK.  THE RIGHT WING TANK SUMP DRAIN WAS OPENED AND NOTHING CAME OUT. THERE WAS ONLY A HINT OF FUEL AT THE FUEL STRAINER DRAIN.  THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK DETENT.                                                                       (-23) WHILE FLYING OVER RIO LINDA AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER.  THE PILOT TURNED THE FUEL PUMP ON, AND SWITCHED TANKS TO AUX.  THE ENGINE RAN GOOD FOR A FEW BUT THEN QUIT COMPLETELY.  THE PILOT HAD TO LAND IN A OPEN FIELD.  DURING THE ROLL OUT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A BURM, TORE OFF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR, AND CAME TO REST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BURM. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILL ON THE GROUND, NO FUEL COULD BE SEEN IN THE RIGHT TANK, AND ONLY A SLIGHT HINT OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK.  THE PILOT STATED THAT, BEFORE DEPARTURE, HE VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL, AND HE OBSERVED FUEL IN THE TANKS.  ALSO HE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GUAGES SHOWED FULL FUEL QUANTITY.

## 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 LAX98LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA120), Mar 23, 1998: Beech C35 (N8948A), Rio Linda, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate fuel management which led to fuel exhaustion.

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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