# NTSB CHI87LA088: Beech C-35, N99QE, Lake Station, IN, February 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1987, 21:05 local (Feb 26, 1987, 03:05 UTC)
- Place: Lake Station, IN
- Coordinates: 41.570491, -87.260665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5705&lon=-87.2607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA088

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A GUARD RAIL DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON INTERSTATE 80 AFTER EXPERIENCING FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT HAD VISUALLY INSPECTED HIS FUEL SUPPLY PRIOR TO THE FIRST LEG OF THE FLIGHT AND THOUGHT THERE WAS ENOUGH FUEL FOR THE TRIP. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT BY BOTH FAA AND INDIANA STATE POLICE PERSONNEL REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS EMPTY AND NO SIGNS OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99QE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99QE-1988-03-28), registration cancelled 1988-03-28, S/N D2985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2985
- Airframe hours: 3555
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terry L. Downs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1987, 3 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Destination: CGX, CHICAGO, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 628 total, 368 in this make and model, 561 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYY, 5 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 19870225003419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870225003419A), Feb 25, 1987: Beech C35BEECH, Hobart, IN, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft struck a guardrail during an attempted highway landing.

## Other investigations on N99QE (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI76FEV17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEV17), Oct 16, 1975: Beech C35 (N99QE), Pontiac, IL, substantial damage

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.

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