# NTSB CHI88FA001: Beech A35, N8705A, Grand Ledge, MI, October 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1987, 16:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Grand Ledge, MI
- Coordinates: 42.749584, -84.739189 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7496&lon=-84.7392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command
- Undershoot, approach
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

AFTER RTRNG FM A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT WAS ABOUT TO TURN DOWNWIND TO LAND WHEN THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE LEFT MAIN TO THE RGT MAIN PSN & PUMPED THE WOBBLE PUMP SVRL TIMES, BUT THE ENG DID NOT RESTART. HE THEN MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE AUX PSN & USED THE WOBBLE PUMP AGAIN. HE SAW THE FUEL PRESSURE 'JIGGLE',BUT THE ENG STILL DID NOT START. WHILE TRYING A RESTART, HE MANEUVERED THE ACFT TOWARD THE ARPT & EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO GET ALIGNED WITH THE RWY WITH SUFFICIENT ALT. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON UNPREPARED TERRAIN ABOUT 15' FROM THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE & RGT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. AFTER THE ACDNT, FUEL WAS FND IN ALL TANKS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE FUEL LINES WERE DISCONNECTED FROM THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, NO FUEL WAS FOUND. DRG AN INTERVIEW, THE PLT SAID HE DID NOT USE THE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AUX PUMP WHILE ATTEMPTING A RESTART DRG THE EMERGENCY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8705A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8705A-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N D2115 (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: 2115
- Airframe hours: 2062
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-8 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond C. Yeager
- Registered owner: Raymond C Yaeger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1987, 54 hours before
- Departed: SJX, BEAVER ISLAND, MI
- Destination: 4D0
- Airport: 4DO, Abrams, runway 27, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,060 total, 109 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 7 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 19871004058779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871004058779A), Oct 4, 1987: Beech A35, Grand Ledge, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit in pattern. Crash landed 15 feet short of runway. Switched tanks but failed to use electric fuel pump.

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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