# NTSB ATL97LA082: Beech V35, N35MD, Daytona Beach, FL, June 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 1997, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.170152, -81.139541 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1702&lon=-81.1395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3855 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3855/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA082 ## Probable cause The pilot's mismanagement of fuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel system - exhaustion (cause) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, landing - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that the engine quit while on final approach to the destination airport. He stated that he switched fuel tanks from the right to the left and attempted a restart, however there was not enough time. Once past the displaced threshold, the airplane stalled, and the left wing tip impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest right side up. The pilot later stated that he exhausted the fuel from the right tank. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 1997, at 1145 eastern daylight time (EDT), N35MD, a Beech V35, landed hard at Spruce Creek Airport, in Daytona Beach, FL. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, the two passengers sustained minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Fort Pierce at 1100. A witness was taxiing to the run-up area for runway 23, behind a line of trees facing northwest, when he recognized N35MD pilot's voice on the radio. He heard the pilot declare an emergency. He stated that, about 20 seconds later, he saw a "V-tail Bonanza at about 75 feet altitude over the displaced threshold, in a slipping 45 degree bank to the left, descending rapidly towards the runway surface, with approximately level pitch". The witness stated he then saw the left wing hit the runway and then the airplane went out of sight behind the trees. He stated he taxied onto the runway and saw N35MD on "the runway, right side up, and badly damaged". According to the FAA inspector who interviewed the pilot, the pilot stated that he exhausted the fuel from the right tank and the engine quit while on final approach. The pilot switched to the left tank and was unsuccessful in restarting the engine. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. According to the FAA inspector the propellers were severely bent, the left tip tank was dented, the nose gear was collapsed, the engine cowling was dented, and both wings were penetrated by the main gear. Also, there was an oil and fuel leak. The pilot performed his biennial requirements through the Wings program, in accordance with AC-6198. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35MD-1998-03-14), registration cancelled 1998-03-14, S/N D8506 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech V35 - Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-8506 - Airframe hours: 3766 - Engines: Continental IO-520-BA2 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Herbert O Bricker, Md - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1996, 88 hours before - Departed: NONE, FORT PIERCE, FL - Destination: 44J, FL - Airport: 44J, Spruce Creek, runway 23, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,766 total, 3,766 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 6 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 19970607013569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970607013569A), Jun 7, 1997: Beech V35, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Fuel exhausted one tank on final. No restart. High. Slipped steeply. Wing hit. Impacted upright. Gear thru wings. (-23) on June 7, 1997 at approximately 1145… 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.