# NTSB CEN21LA405: Beech A35, N8419A, Morrilton, AR, September 2, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 2, 2021, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Morrilton, AR - Coordinates: 35.136195, -92.713497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1362&lon=-92.7135&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103815 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA405 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103815/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103815 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA405 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. ## 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 A35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1151504), [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. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Beech A35, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8419A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8419A-2022-12-24), registration cancelled 2022-12-24, S/N D-1854 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A35 - Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-1854 - Year built: 1949 - Airframe hours: 4409 - Engines: Continental E-185 185 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2020 - Departed: ADH, Ada, OK - Destination: SRC, Searcy, AR - Airport: BDQ, Morrilton Muni - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; last flight review March 20, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 500 total, 6 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KRUE, 20 nm away - METAR: KRUE 021553Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM OVC048 27/18 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02720183 ## 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 20210902015239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210902015239A), Sep 2, 2021: Beech A35, Morrilton, AR, Substantial damage. On September 02, 2021 about 9:45 CST, a Beech A35 bonanza; serial # D-1854, registered as N8419A sustained significant damage when it crashed into a group of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 26, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103815. 2.3 MB in all. - FAA inspector statement including pilot statements (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 650 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15249458&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Centinaro_Inspector%20Statement_N8419A_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 4 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15249564&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.