# Accident 20200517009849A: Beech J35, Cascade Locks, OR, May 17, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 17, 2020, 11:30 local time
- Place: Cascade Locks, OR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.6736° N, 121.8906° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6736&lon=-121.8906&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8359D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8359D-2021-07-22) (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
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,020 total, 161 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR20LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA161) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200517009849A

## Narrative

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

PILOT DEPARTED THE TROUTDALE AIRPORT (TTD) AT 11:15 FOR THE PURPOSE OF A "PLEASURE FLIGHT". ABOUT 20 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT DID A LOW APPROACH TO RUNWAY 24 AT CASCADE LOCKS HEADING TOWARDS THE RIVER. UPON BEGINNING THE CLIMB OUT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND WITH FEW OPTIONS DECIDED TO LAND IN THE RIVER NEAR SHORE. AFTER LANDING IN THE WATER, THE TWO OCCUPANTS SWAM TO SHORE. THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN THE WATER AND WAS RECOVER ABOUT A WEEK LATER.

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ON THE AUXILIARY TANKS WHEN HE DECIDED TO DO THE APPROACH INTO CASCADE LOCKS. AS HE APPROACHED HE SAW A PERSON ON THE RUNWAY. HE DECIDED TO KEEP THE GEAR RETRACTED AND NOT DO A NORMAL APPROACH TO AVOID SCARING THE PERSON ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT FEELS THAT BECAUSE OF THE DISTRACTION, AND NOT CONDUCTING HIS NORMAL PRE-LANDING "GUMPS" CHECK, HE DID NOT SELECT THE LEFT OR RIGHT TANK. HE FEELS IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT THE FUEL WAS UNPORTED FROM THE AUX TANK DURING THE CLIMB OUT, CAUSING THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## 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 WPR20LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA161), May 17, 2020: Beech 35 (N8359D), Cascade Locks, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel tank selection which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine and a loss of engine power.

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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