# Accident 20230122002989A: Beech M35, Tomball, TX, January 22, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 22, 2023, 11:27 local time
- Place: Tomball, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: TZSJ
- Location: 30.0500° N, 95.6795° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0500&lon=-95.6795&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9306Y, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9306Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech M35 (registry code 1151526, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-m35) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental I0-470 series (registry code 17027, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH M35
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 547 total, 175 in this make and model, 175 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA088) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230122002989A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT, WITH ONE PERSON ONBOARD, WHILE CONDUCTING AERIAL SURVEY FLIGHT, EXPERIENCED ENGINE LOSS OF POWER AT 1500-FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL).  PILOT ATTEMPTED SWITCHING FUEL TANK SELECTION BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTORE ENGINE POWER.  AT APPROXIMATELY 1300-FEET AGL PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND DECIDED TO LAND ON EASTBOUND LANES OF HIGHWAY.  PILOT LINED UP FOR LANDING ON HIGHWAY AND DESCENDED.  PILOT OBSERVED AN 18-WHEELER ON THE HIGHWAY AND THOUGHT HE WAS CLEAR OF THE VEHICLE.  THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR IMPACTED TOP OF 18-WHEELER TRAILER.  THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED LEFT FROM ATOP 18-WHEELER WITH LEFT WING TIP IMPACTING ROAD SURFACE COMPROMISING THE WING TIP FUEL TANK.  UPON FUSELAGE IMPACTING ROADWAY SURFACE, TRAILING SPARKS CAUSED LEAKING FUEL TO CATCH FIRE.  THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST HEADING EASTBOUND WITH NOSE LANDING GEAR SHEARED OFF.  THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRCRAFT.  AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL EMERGENCY SERVICES ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES.  VIDEOS POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA INDICATE THE AIRCRAFT WAS LARGELY INTACT PRIOR TO BEING DESTROYED BY FIRE.

A DETAILED INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE WAS CONDUCTED.  AN INSPECTION CHECKLIST PROVIDED BY THE NTSB WAS UTILIZED AS A GUIDE FOR THE INSPECTION.  THE ONLY POSSIBLE CAUSAL ANOMALIES DISCOVERED WERE THE FOLLOWING:  THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP WAS REMOVED AND DISCOVERED TO BE SEIZED.  THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF PROPELLER SPINNER IMPACT WITH CONCRETE HIGHWAY BARRIER CAUSING ENGINE SUDDEN STOPPAGE, OR FIRE DAMAGE; THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP DRIVE COUPLING WAS SHEARED.  THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF A RESULT OF PROPELLER SPINNER IMPACT WITH CONCRETE HIGHWAY BARRIER CAUSING ENGINE SUDDEN STOPPAGE AND/OR CRANKSHAFT MOVEMENT DURING RECOVERY AND TRANSPORT OF THE AIRCRAFT; LACK OF/MINIMAL MAGNETO SPARK.  THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF FIRE DAMAGE.

## 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 CEN23LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA088), Jan 22, 2023: Beech M35 (N9306Y), Tomball, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.

## Other reports on N9306Y (1)

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

- [Incident 19940425013569I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940425013569I), Apr 25, 1994: Beech M35 (N9306Y), Hutchinson, KS. Pilot lost directional control on rollout. Departed runway, hit runway light.

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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