# NTSB CEN13CA389: Beech P35, N8585M, Bridgeport, TX, July 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2013, 11:14 local (16:14 UTC) - Place: Bridgeport, TX - Coordinates: 33.171943, -97.823608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1719&lon=-97.8236&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 87368 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA389 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87368/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87368 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA389 ## Probable cause The failure of both the flight instructor and the pilot to monitor and manage the fuel on board, which resulted in an engine failure due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech P35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech P35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech P35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1151530), [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. - [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech P35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech P35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech P35, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and flight instructor were making touch-and-go landings when the engine lost power. Unable to glide to the runway, they made a forced landing in an open field. During the forced landing, the landing gear was sheared off and the firewall was buckled. The student sustained a serious injury and the flight instructor received minor injuries. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and reported the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank. When electrical power was applied, the left fuel gauge registered empty. No fuel was observed in the left fuel tank. The right fuel tank had not been compromised and contained fuel. ## Factual narrative The pilot and flight instructor had been flying for over two hours, doing air work and making touch-and-go landings at Bridgeport (XBP), Alliance-Fort Worth (AFW), Meacham (FTW) and Hicks Airports (T67). Returning to XBP, they were making a final touch-and-go landing when the engine lost power. Unable to glide back to the runway, the flight instructor made a forced landing in a plowed field north of the airport. The airplane touched down hard, shearing off the landing gear, and sliding 60 feet before coming to a stop. The firewall was buckled. The flight instructor and pilot sustained minor injuries. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and reported the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank. When electrical power was applied, the left fuel gauge registered empty. One quart of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank. The right fuel tank had not been compromised and contained fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8585M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8585M-2018-03-07), registration cancelled 2018-03-07, S/N D-7207, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH P35 - Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (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-7207 - Airframe hours: 3711 - Engines: Continental IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Michael E. R Read - Registered owner: Michael E. R Read - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 2012, 43 hours before - Departed: KXBP, Bridgeport, TX - Destination: KXBP, Bridgeport, TX - Airport: KXBP, Bridgeport Municipal Airport, runway 35, 4,004 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 51; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 5,000 total, 40 in this make and model - Pilot; age 45; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 170 total, 3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KXBP ## 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 20130702012599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130702012599A), Jul 2, 2013: Beech P35, Bridgeport, TX, Substantial damage. On July 2, 2013 at 0900 CDT, a Beechcraft bonanza, P-35, N8585M, was on a training flight with a certified flight instructor (CFI), the flight consisted of… ## Other investigations on N8585M (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 NYC65F0061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC65F0061), Feb 13, 1965: Beechraft P-35 (N8585M), Nashua, NH, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87368. 100 KB in all. - Record of Conversation (item 1, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397094&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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.