# Accident 20101218054779A: Beech H35, Des Moines, IA, December 18, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 18, 2010, 15:10 local time
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Airport: Des Moines International Airpo
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.5342° N, 93.6631° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5342&lon=-93.6631&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5537D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5537D-2013-04-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech H35 (registry code 1151520, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 550 total, 200 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN11LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA148) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101218054779A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT DEPARTED DES MOINES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DSM) WITH TWO PASSENGERS.  SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REPORTED AN ALTERNATOR ISSUE AND ASKED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT.  WHILE ON  FINAL APPROACH, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, AFTER STRIKING THE AIRPORT BARRIER FENCE.  THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE FUEL STRAINER OR THE FUEL LINE TO THE ENGINE.

## 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 CEN11LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA148), Dec 18, 2010: Beech H35 (N5537D), Des Moines, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning.

## Other reports on N5537D (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19920906041319I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920906041319I), Sep 6, 1992: Beech H35 (N5537D), Spokane, WA, Minor damage. Nose gear collapsed on landing rollout. Forward rod end bearing on aft nose landing gear retraction link failed.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.