CEN21LA405

The pilot and passenger were in the process of flying the recently purchased airplane to the passenger’s home airport. The pilot and passenger flew the airplane twice before the accident flight, and the airplane operated normally. While in cruise flight, about 1.25 hours after departure, the pilot switched from the left fuel tank to the rear auxiliary fuel tank and noted that the fuel pressure was normal. About 7 to 8 minutes later, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot then switched to the right fuel tank and attempted to restart the engine to no avail. He then switched back to the left tank and, after descending through a cloud layer, was again unable to restart the engine. After descending through the clouds, the pilot switched back to the right fuel tank and power was restored for 5 to 10 seconds before all engine power was again lost. The pilot attempted to glide to a nearby airport but had insufficient altitude and executed a forced landing. The airplane impacted trees and became suspended in the trees, incurring substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Both fuel tanks had been breached during impact and determination of fuel quantity was not possible. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

On September 2, 2021, about 1045 central daylight time, a Beech A35 airplane, N8419A, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Morrilton, Arkansas. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The passenger reported that he recently purchased the airplane and that he and the pilot were in the process of flying it to his home airport. The pilot and passenger flew the airplane before the purchase and for familiarization before the accident flight and the airplane operated normally. For the accident flight, they departed the Ada Regional Airport (ADH), Ada, Oklahoma, about 0910 with an intended fuel stop at the Searcy Municipal Airport (SRC), Searcy, Arkansas, a distance of about 244 nautical miles. The pilot reported that the airplane’s cruise altitude was 8,500 ft. msl., and they had the left fuel tank for about 1.25 hours. He then switched to the rear auxiliary fuel tank and fuel pressures were normal. About 7 to 8 minutes later, the engine suddenly lost all power, but the propeller remained windmilling. The pilot switched the fuel selector from the rear auxiliary tank to the right tank and attempted to restart the engine to no avail. He then switched to the left tank and after descending through a cloud layer was again unable to restart the engine. After descending below the clouds, the pilot switched to the right fuel tank again and power was restored for 5 to 10 seconds but then all engine power was again lost. The pilot attempted to glide the airplane to the Morrilton Municipal Airport, Morrilton, Arkansas, but had insufficient altitude. The airplane impacted trees and became suspended in the trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. An examination of the fuel system showed fuel in the lines and in the fuel selector. A bench test of the electric fuel pump shoed normal operation. Both fuel tanks had been breached during impact and determination of fuel quantity was not possible.