# NTSB CEN15LA436: Beech C35, N1990D, Belen, NM, September 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 2015, 12:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Belen, NM - Coordinates: 34.667221, -106.824996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6672&lon=-106.8250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92108 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA436 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92108/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92108 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA436 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C35, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C35, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C35, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C35, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Placards and markings](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011100): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011100/cases.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011100/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, while returning to the airport during a personal local flight and about 3 miles northeast of the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the issue but was unable to restart the engine, so he chose to make a forced landing on a dirt road. The airplane continued down the road for about 600 ft, and the left wing then collided with a bush. The airplane came to rest upright next to the road about 1 mile north of the airport. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the fuel strainer and carburetor fuel inlet screen were clogged with contaminants, and there was a distinct odor of automotive fuel. The engine had been modified under a supplemental type certificate that only allowed for the use of 100LL aviation fuel. However, the fuel doors still contained placards indicating that unleaded automotive gasoline was approved fuel for the airplane. The pilot stated that, during the 2 years before the accident, he had only used 100LL aviation fuel in the airplane. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the loss of engine power was due to contamination in the fuel system. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 2015, about 1200 mountain daylight time, a Beech C35 airplane, N1990D, made a forced landing to a dirt road near Belen, New Mexico. The private rated pilot and three passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Alexander Municipal Airport (E80), Belen, New Mexico, about 1100. The pilot reported that he was taking three boys scouts for a sightseeing flight. He departed to the north and completed one touch-and-go landing at the Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico, then proceeded south toward Los Lunas, New Mexico. He also completed several basic maneuvers and initiated a descent. About 3 miles northeast of E80 the engine experienced a total loss of power and the pilot attempted to troubleshoot the issue. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot elected to land on a dirt road. The pilot noted that the airspeed was 70 mph during the emergency landing. The airplane continued on the road for about 600 ft when the left wing collided with a mesquite bush which rotated the airplane 180°. The airplane came to rest upright next to the dirt road about 1 mile north of E80. A postaccident engine examination was conducted by a local aircraft mechanic under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The FAA inspector noted that the fuel strainer and fuel inlet screen to the pressure carburetor were clogged with contaminants and there was a distinct odor of automotive fuel. The inspector added that the owner stated that he had not used automotive fuel "much" lately. The inspector noted that the engine had been modified by supplemental type certificate (STC) SE01167SE that only allowed for the use of 100LL aviation fuel. An examination of the fuel doors revealed placards indicating that unleaded automotive gasoline was approved fuel for the airplane. The pilot stated that the accident airplane had an approved automotive fuel STC in effect from March 1985 to October 2013. Since November 2013 he had used only 100LL fuel in the airplane. A review of the maintenance logbooks showed that an airframe annual inspection and engine 100-hour inspection were completed on March 14, 2015. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1990D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1990D-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N D-3230, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C35 - Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-3230 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 8260 - Engines: Continental Motors E225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael R Keenan - Registered owner: Michael R Keenan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 14, 2015 - Departed: E80, Belen, NM - Destination: E80, Belen, NM - Airport: E80, Alexander Muni - Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 542 total, 542 in this make and model, 480 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KABQ, 25 nm away ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92108. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement - Email (item 2, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%20-%20Email-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records - STC (item 5, .PDF, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20STC-Master.PDF - FAA Information (item 6, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Information-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 249 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Photos (item 8, .PDF, 10 photos, 987 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.