# NTSB CHI88DET02: Beech A35, N8568A, Wheeler, IN, February 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1988, 14:18 local (20:18 UTC)
- Place: Wheeler, IN
- Coordinates: 41.510456, -87.179206 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5105&lon=-87.1792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DET02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DET02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - frozen (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED IAW A FERRY PERMIT TO OBTAIN AN ANNUAL INSPN. THE PREV ANNUAL INSPN WAS ON 3/13/85. DRG FLT ABT 1.3 HRS AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST PWR. THE PLT NOTED THE FUEL PRES WAS ZERO. HE SAID HE TURNED ON THE AUX FUEL PUMP & INSURED THE FUEL SEL WAS PSND TO THE LEFT TANK WHICH HAD A FULL INDCN. HE ALSO OPERATED THE WOBBLE PUMP, BUT GOT NO FUEL PRES, EXCEPT FUEL PRES & ENG POWER WERE OBTAINED FOR SVRL SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, BUT PWR COULD NOT BE SUSTAINED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED DRG A FORCED LNDG ON A FROZEN, SNOW COVERED, CORN FIELD. THE ACFT WAS MOVED & DISASSEMBLED BEFORE THE INVESTIGATOR COULD CHECK THE FUEL SYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8568A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8568A-1991-12-23), registration cancelled 1991-12-23, S/N D2030 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A35
- Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D 2030
- Airframe hours: 3396
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Harry M. Beach
- Registered owner: Beach, Harry M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1985, 2 hours before
- Departed: JOT, JOLIET, IL
- Destination: 3LP, LA PORTE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 309 total, 17 in this make and model, 249 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYY, 16 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 19880207005219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880207005219A), Feb 7, 1988: Beech A35, Wheeler, IN, Substantial damage. Reported lost fuel pressure. Crash landed. Aircraft dismantled prior investigation. Unable to determine cause.

## Other investigations on N8568A (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 CHI69F0080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0080), Jul 6, 1968: Beech A35 (N8568A), Hartford, MI, 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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