# NTSB ANC94LA053: Beech 35, N441B, Gustavus, AK, May 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1994, 16:15 local (May 2, 1994, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Gustavus, AK - Coordinates: 58.420314, -135.78041 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.4203&lon=-135.7804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2498 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2498/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA053 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DELAY IN SELECTING THE MAIN FUEL TANK POSITION. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, descent - emergency - terrain condition - water - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT SWITCHED FROM HIS AUXILIARY FUEL TANK TO HIS LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. HE HAD TO DITCH IN THE BAY. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL MISMANAGEMENT. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1994, at 1615 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Beechcraft Bonanza airplane, N441B, registered to and operated by the Pilot-in-Command, experienced a non-mechanical engine failure and was forced to ditch in the water approximately 5 miles east of Gustavus, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Juneau, Alaska, and the destination was Gustavus. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Private certificated Pilot-in-Command and his passenger were not injured and the airplane sank in the water. According to the Pilot-in-Command, he was attempting to use up the fuel in the auxiliary fuel tanks. He stated that he felt the engine failed at the same time he switched to the left main fuel tank. The airplane came to rest between the low and high tide lines. According to Ned Horne, FAA, FSDO 05, Juneau, Alaska, the Pilot-in-Command informally admitted that the engine did not fail due to a mechanical reason but due to fuel mismanagement. The Pilot-in-Command did not submit an NTSB 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N441B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N441B-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N D-5943, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 35 - Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-5943 - Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rohweder, Gary A - Registered owner: Rohweder, Gary A. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 275 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GST, 5 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940501009659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940501009659A), May 1, 1994: Beech M35, Gustavus, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power. Ditched in water offshore. Ran aux tank dry. Failed to timelly switch to main tank with fuel. ## Other investigations on N441B (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 CHI92LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA125), Apr 6, 1992: Beech K35 (N441B), Valley City, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE BY AIRPORT PERSONNEL TO REMOVE THE SNOW RIDGE. 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. --- 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.