19991214034939A

(.19) On December 14, 1999, at 1230 central standard time, a Beech F35 airplane, N3359C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Elk City, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane and the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from muskogee, Oklahoma, with a final destination of taylor, Arizona. According to the FAA inspector, who visited the accident site, the pilot was flying at 10,500 feet MSL when the manifold pressure gauge indicated a drop to 19 inches. The pilot switched from the right fuel tank to the auxiliary fuel tank and then to the left fuel tank with no change to the manifold pressure. The pilot attempted to land at Elk City municipal airport; however, he could not make the airport and landed gear-up in a field. The FAA inspector stated that the fuselage was buckled near the baggage door and near the firewall. (.4)the pilot stated that the airplane was flying at 10,500 feet MSL. The pilot added that the left main fuel tank was selected for 30 minutes, he then selected the auxiliary fuel tanks for 1 hour and 15 minutes, and then selected the right main fuel tank. Approximately 15 minutes later, with all of the engine instruments indicating normal operation, the engine lost power, followed after approximately 1 to 2 seconds by a growling noise and shaking of the airplane. The pilot indicated that the growling increased and decreased in severity and eventually there was complete silence. The pilot performed the normal engine restart procedures to no avail. The pilot landed in a field, with the landing gear retracted, and the airplane impacted a ditch during the landing roll. The auxiliary fuel tanks were found empty, the right main fuel tank was approximately full, and the left main fuel tank was approximately 1/4 full. Further examination of the aircraft and engine was not accomplished due to the owner selling the airplane. (-23)on December 14, 1999, at approximately 1230 CST, a Beech bonanaza, enroute from muskogee, OK, with a final destination of taylor, AZ, developed e ngine problems and was forced to land in field just to the southwest of Elk City, OK. The aircraft was cruising at approximately 10,500 feet MSL. The pilot had just selected the rt. Main fuel tank then he observed the engine manifold pressure to be about 19 inches (which he preceived as a problem), he then switched to the aux for several seconds and then to the lt. main. During this time, the engine was sputtering and exhibiting signs of fuel starvation, so the pilot began to descend using spiraling turns. Any additional actions taken by the pilot did not seem to remedy the problem so he picked a field and landed gear up causing substantial damage to the aircraft.