CEN26LA319

On September 12, 2026, about 2049 central daylight time, a Beech K35 airplane, N6071E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wausau, Wisconsin. The pilot and passenger suffered minor injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight from La Crosse Regional Airport (LSE), La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Wausau Downtown Airport (AUW), Wausau, Wisconsin. The flight departed LSE about 2015. The pilot reported that while flying in the airport traffic pattern for landing at AUW and shortly after he extended the landing gear abeam the runway threshold, he observed a higher-than-normal engine exhaust gas temperature (EGT). According to the pilot, the higher-than-normal engine EGT reminded him to switch fuel tanks. He selected the right fuel tank and advanced the mixture and throttle levers to the full forward position, but the engine did not respond. The pilot stated that he did not turn on the electric fuel boost pump while he attempted to restore engine power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane toward the runway and prepared for a water landing. The airplane impacted water resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, left aileron, and engine mount. The pilot and passenger were able to egress from the airplane. The airplane was recovered from the water and secured in a hanger. A postaccident examination revealed that all fuel tank caps were found secure. The right main tank and both auxiliary tanks were full of fuel. The left main tank contained no fuel. The cockpit throttle, mixture, and propeller controls were found in the nearly full forward position. The electric fuel boost pump switch was found turned off. The fuel selector valve was found positioned to the right main fuel tank. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses, nor was it required to be. According to the pilot, earlier in the day he flew from Langlade County Airport (AIG), Antigo, Wisconsin, to LSE. The airplane departed AIG with full fuel (70 gallons), which was distributed 25 gallons in each main tank and 10 gallons in each auxiliary tank. The pilot did not refuel the airplane at LSE before the flight departed to AUW. The pilot stated that he had the left main fuel tank selected for both flight legs except for when he briefly selected the auxiliary tanks while in cruise flight before switching back to the left tank. In a postaccident interview with a FAA inspector, the pilot’s aviation mechanic stated that he and the pilot discussed the accident, during which the pilot said the loss of engine power was due to his delay in switching fuel tanks and not turning on the electric fuel boost pump.