# NTSB ATL90LA092: Beech B35, N5180C, Brunswick, GA, April 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1990, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Brunswick, GA
- Location: 31.1361° N, 81.4669° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brunswick, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1361&lon=-81.4669&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA092

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MANAGE HIS FUEL SUPPLY BY SWITCHING TO A TANK WITH FUEL PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. COLLISION WITH THE TREE(S) WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON THE RETURN FLT TO THE AIRPORT, THE PLT ESTABLISHED A DESCENT & THE ENG LOST POWER AT ABOUT 1000 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY SWITCHING FUEL TANKS. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND ESTABLISHED A GLIDE FOR A MARSH AREA, BUT THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE. THE PILOT EXITED THE INVERTED AIRCRAFT UNASSISTED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT WING AND FUSELAGE TANK CONTAINED FUEL; HOWEVER, THE RIGHT WING TANK WAS EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5180C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5180C-1992-09-25), registration cancelled 1992-09-25, S/N D2462 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35
- Registry model: [Beech B35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (registry code 1151506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2462
- Airframe hours: 5414
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fendig, Bruce
- Registered owner: Fendig, Bruce
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1989
- Departed: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: SSI, BRUNSWICK, GA
- Airport: SS1, Malcom Mckinnon, runway 22, 5,421 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 48 in this make and model, 985 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 551, 1 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 19900405007769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900405007769A), Apr 5, 1990: Beech B35, Brunswick, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on descent to airport. Struck a tree on forced landing. No engine defects found . One fuel tank empty.

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.

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