# NTSB CHI04LA099: Beech C35, N1922D, Big Rapids, MI, April 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 2004, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Big Rapids, MI - Coordinates: 43.722499, -85.50389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7225&lon=-85.5039&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Continental Motors, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 59055 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59055/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA099 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper fuel management which led to fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system - starvation (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that the engine had just been overhauled and reinstalled on the airplane. After a successful ground run, a flight test was conducted. The pilot reported that he and an aircraft mechanic departed with the right fuel tank selected, climbed to 8,500 feet mean sea level, and circled the airport while checking the engine performance. The pilot reported the new fuel pump was putting out nearly 15 psi., whereas, the previous fuel pump had put out 9 psi. After an hour of flying, the pilot started his descent to land with the fuel selector still on the right fuel tank. While on final approach he added power, but the engine did not respond. He could not restore engine power before the airplane impacted the ground. An inspection of the airplane revealed there were 6 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank, and 2.5 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank. The wing fuel tanks each held 20 gallons of fuel with 17 gallons being useable fuel. The inspection revealed no airframe or engine anomalies. The pilot reported, "I think what happened was that the increased fuel pump pressure transferred the fuel from the right tank into the left tank at an accelerated rate, and I had no idea that I was getting that close to empty." The engine was removed from the airframe and an engine run was conducted. The engine started and ran. The pilot reported that he departed with 20 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank, 5 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank, and 10 gallons of fuel in the auxiliary tank. The Beechcraft Bonanza C35 Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) states: "Take-offs should be made using the left main tank and landings should be made using the main tank that is more nearly full. In no case should a take-off be made if the fuel indications are in the yellow band or, with less than 10 gallons of fuel in each main tank." The POH also states: "The pressure type carburetor returns about 3 gallons per hour of excess fuel to the left main cell regardless of the cell selected." ## Factual narrative On April 4, 2004, at 1450 eastern daylight time, a Beech C35, N1922D, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Roben-Hood Airport (RQB), Big Rapids, Michigan, after a loss of engine power. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 local maintenance flight departed from the RQB at 1330. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the engine had just been overhauled and reinstalled on the airplane. He and an airframe and powerplants mechanic (A&P) conducted an engine ground run with satisfactory results. After the ground run, a flight test was conducted. The pilot reported that they departed with the right fuel tank selected, climbed to 8,500 feet mean sea level, and circled the airport while checking the engine performance. The pilot reported the "only thing different than usual was that the fuel pressure was at the top of the green arc, which would indicate that it was putting out nearly 15 psi. The previous fuel pump had put out 9 psi, and operated near the bottom of the green arc." The pilot started the descent for landing after an hour of flying, and it took another 10 minutes to descend. He reported he left the fuel selector on the right tank. He stated, "Based on prior aircraft performance, we had plenty of fuel in the right tank to land." He made a steep approach to land at RQB. He put in full flaps when he was 500 feet above the ground and about 1,200 feet from the runway, but he reported the increased drag and headwind required that he add power. He reported, "I reached for the throttle and pushed it in, and nothing happened." He could not restore engine power before the airplane impacted the ground. Although injured, the pilot and the A&P were able to exit the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector examined the airplane. He reported there were 6 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank, and 2.5 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank. The wing fuel tanks each hold 20 gallons of fuel with 17 gallons being useable fuel. The inspection revealed no airframe or engine anomalies. The pilot reported, "I think what happened was that the increased fuel pump pressure transferred the fuel from the right tank into the left tank at an accelerated rate, and I had no idea that I was getting that close to empty. The engine was idling right up until I put the throttle to the wall." The engine was removed from the airframe and sent to an aircraft engine maintenance facility. An engine run was conducted under the supervision of an FAA airworthiness inspector. The inspector reported, "The engine started and ran smoothly up to 1,080 RPMs." The propeller blades were bent and the inspector reported that it was unsafe to run the engine at a higher RPM. The magnetos were checked at 1,080 RPMs and neither dropped more than 25 RPMs. The engine idled at 600 RPMs. The pilot reported that he departed with 20 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank, 5 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank, and 10 gallons of fuel in the auxiliary tank. The Beechcraft Bonanza C35 Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) states: "Take-offs should be made using the left main tank and landings should be made using the main tank that is more nearly full. In no case should a take-off be made if the fuel indications are in the yellow band or, with less than 10 gallons of fuel in each main tank." The POH also states: "The pressure type carburetor returns about 3 gallons per hour of excess fuel to the left main cell regardless of the cell selected." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1922D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1922D-2006-04-06), registration cancelled 2006-04-06, S/N D-3194, 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-3194 - Airframe hours: 2946.6 - Engines: Continental E-185-11 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack H. Sparling - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 2004, 1 hours before - Departed: RQB, Big Rapids, MI - Destination: RQB - Airport: RQB, Roben-Hood Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review May 28, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 548 total, 286 in this make and model, 548 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 13 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: RQB ## 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 20040404005179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040404005179A), Apr 4, 2004: Beech C35BEECH, Big Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) After a one hour test flight after engine overhaul engine lost power on approach to runway 32. Aircraft landed hard approx 1000' short of runway in a sod… 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.