# Accident 20050120000249A: Beech J35, Abernathy, TX, January 20, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 20, 2005, 18:10 local time
- Place: Abernathy, TX
- Airport: Abernathy Municipal Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Forced Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.8653° N, 101.7372° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8653&lon=-101.7372&mi=10
- Aircraft: N399RH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N399RH-2005-03-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech J35 (registry code 1151522, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental I0-470 series (registry code 17027, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH J35
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 1,125 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DFW05FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05FA058) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050120000249A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON JANUARY 20, 2005, AT APPROXIMATELY 1750 LOCAL, THE PILOT AND HIS 8 YR. OLD DAUGHTER DEPARTED BIGGIN HILL (A PRIVATE AIRFIELD NORTH OF SHALLOWATER, TX). AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 LOCAL, WITNESSES AT THE ABERNATHY AIRPORT (F83) STATED THAT IT APPEARED THE AIRCRAFT WAS PLANNING TO LAND AT F83. WHILE ON LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 17, THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT (F83). GROUND SCARS INDICATE THE LANDING GEAR AND BOTH WING TIPS STRUCK THE GROUND ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN AND TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 60' BEFORE COMING TO REST ON AN APPROXIMATE HEADING 153*. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT CABIN WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN SECONDS OF THE AIRCRAFT LANDING. FIELD INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE AUX POSITION. FIELD INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED IT WAS NOT UNDER POWER WHEN IT STRUCK THE GROUND. THE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT IT WAS CAPABLE OF RUNNING. LUBBOCK ATC CONFIRMED THE AIRCRAFT HAD NO CONTACT WITH ATC ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 DFW05FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05FA058), Jan 21, 2005: Beech J-35 (N399RH), Abernathy, TX, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper positioning of the fuel tank selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power while maneuvering.

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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