# NTSB CEN09CA038: Beech A36, N3112Y, Salina, KS, October 18, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 18, 2008, 14:02 local (19:02 UTC) - Place: Salina, KS - Coordinates: 38.787776, -97.651107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7878&lon=-97.6511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69362 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69362/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA038 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly manage the available fuel supply, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Beech A36, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech A36, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was on final approach in his single-engine airplane when the engine stopped producing power shortly after he switched fuel tanks. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and made a forced landing on a road near the airport. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the firewall near the left engine mount. When baterry power was applied, the left fuel guage indicated it was empty and the right fuel tank was between 1/4- and 1/2-full. No mechanical deficiencie were noted with the airplane or engine. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was on final approach in his single-engine airplane when the engine stopped producing power shortly after he switched fuel tanks. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and made a forced landing on a road near the airport. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the firewall near the left engine mount. When baterry power was applied, the left fuel guage indicated it was empty and the right fuel tank was between 1/4- and 1/2-full. No mechanical deficiencie were noted with the airplane or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3112Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3112Y), registered now, S/N E-2410, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2410 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alfra-Vico - Registered owner: Alfra-Vico - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Uknown - Destination: KSLN, Salina, KS - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KSLN, Salina Municipal AIrport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 260 total, 31 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 16 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KSLN ## 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 20081018851069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081018851069A), Oct 18, 2008: Beech A36, Salina, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was VFR enroute to Salina Kansas, practicing an instrument approach. When preparing to land, the pilot switched fuel tanks and failed to move… 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.