# NTSB CEN18LA319: Beech 35, N533JW, Knox, IN, August 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 2018, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Knox, IN - Coordinates: 41.29, -86.630554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2900&lon=-86.6306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Continental Motors, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98011 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA319 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98011/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98011 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA319 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech J35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech J35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151522), [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 J35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech J35, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot and three passengers were on a cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane. About 10 miles from the destination airport, the pilot switched to the fullest fuel tank, entered the traffic pattern, and reduced the throttle to slow the airplane. While on final approach, he advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot turned the boost pump on to "emergency – high," but the engine still did not respond. Shortly after, the pilot turned the boost pump off and conducted a forced landing in a field, during which the engine was bent downward from the firewall and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The on-site examination found sufficient fuel available in each of the wing fuel tanks. Additionally, fuel was present in the fuel lines near the engine's fuel manifold. A detailed engine examination and download of the engine monitor were conducted after airplane recovery. A review of the engine data for the day of the accident found three files. The last file corresponded to the accident flight, and the monitor indicated 30.4 gallons used. The pilot reported the fuel at last takeoff was 33 gallons. The engine examination did not find any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although data from the engine monitor indicated that the airplane was very low on fuel, the on-site examination showed various levels of fuel available in the fuel tanks. Thus, it is likely that the airplane's engine monitor did not accurately reflect the airplane's correct fuel state. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2018, about 1500 central daylight time, a Beech 35 airplane, N533JW, impacted terrain after a loss of engine power during an approach to the Starke County Airport (OXI), Knox, Indiana. The pilot and three passengers were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight originated from Lacon, Illinois, about 1400. The pilot reported he leveled off at 5,500 ft for the cross-country flight, and selected the left main fuel tank, which indicated just under ½ tank. About 10 miles from the destination airport, he switched to the fullest fuel tank. He then entered the traffic pattern and reduced the throttle to slow the airplane. While on final approach, to arrest a decent, he advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot turned the boost pump on to "emergency – high" and the engine still did not respond. The pilot then reduced the throttle to idle and slowly advanced the throttle, again the engine did not respond, so he turned the boost pump off and prepared for the forced landing. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found the airplane had impacted a cornfield and terrain just short of the runway. The airplane's engine was bent downward from the firewall and fuselage sustained substantial damage during the accident. The inspector opened the fuel tanks, and noted fuel was available at various levels. The inspector also disconnected the lines near the fuel manifold, and fuel was present in the lines. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility and examined by a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator and a technical representative from the engine manufacturer. Data from the airplane's engine monitor was downloaded. A review of the data found for August 4th, found 3 files. The first file contained information for a 1.85 hr flight, starting at 1810 UTC. The data block field for fuel used started with 0.0 and ended with 19.1 gallons used. The second file indicated the engine monitor was powered on for just over a minute. The third file, started at 2108 UTC and was for 0.94 hr. The last file corresponded to the accident flight, and the monitor indicated 30.4 gallons used. The pilot reported his fuel at last takeoff was 33 gallons. During the examination, the propeller shaft was rotated by hand and drivetrain continuity was confirmed through the valve train, and to the accessory section of the engine. Suction and compression were noted on all cylinders. No anomalies were found that would have prevented the engine from producing rated horsepower. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N533JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N533JW-2020-02-10), registration cancelled 2020-02-10, S/N D-5696, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35 (J35) - Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (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-5696 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 5368 - Engines: Continential IO-470 250 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 2018 - Departed: C75, Lacon, IL - Destination: OXI, Knox, IN - Airport: OXI, Starke County Airport, runway 18, 4,401 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 512 total, 31 in this make and model, 497 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KMHE, 3 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 20180804009969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180804009969A), Aug 4, 2018: Beech J35, Knox, IN, Substantial damage. The pilot of N533JW was on final approach to runway 18 at starke county airport in Knox, Indiana (koxi). The pilot stated that he reduced the power to idle… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 25, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98011. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Statement (item 2, .PDF, 632 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Notes (item 3, .PDF, 252 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Notes-Master.PDF - Engine Monitor Data (last file) (item 4, .CSV, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474565&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Engine%20Monitor%20Data%20(last%20file)-Master.csv - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Photos (item 6, .PDF, 3 photos, 362 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474567&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.