# NTSB CHI90FA019: Beech B35, N8805A, Clare, MI, October 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1989, 13:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Clare, MI
- Coordinates: 43.819099, -84.759307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8191&lon=-84.7593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA019

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT BY NOT ASSURING THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS PROPERLY POSITIONED, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE OF FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE A DECREASE OF ENGINE POWER FOLLOWED BY A DECELERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH A NOSE HIGH ALTITUDE. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A DEPARTURE FROM CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN AND POST-IMPACT FIRE. THE PILOT SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS CENTERED BETWEEN THE RIGHT AND OFF POSITIONS. DURING TESTING, LITTLE AIRFLOW WAS POSSIBLE THROUGH BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT INLETS TO THE OUTLET, THROUGH THE VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8805A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8805A-1990-08-27), registration cancelled 1990-08-27, S/N D2227 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35
- Registry model: [Beech B35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (registry code 1151506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2227
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert P. Kucher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1988
- Departed: 48D, CLARE, MI
- Destination: 3DA, FLUSHING, MI
- Airport: 48D, Clare Muni., runway 26, 2,500 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 985 total, 435 in this make and model, 919 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTL, 31 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 19891026043119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891026043119A), Oct 26, 1989: Beech B35, Clare, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On initial climbout, stalled, struck residence and burned.

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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