# NTSB CHI94LA225: Beech K35, N153C, Grand Rapids, MI, July 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1994, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Grand Rapids, MI - Coordinates: 42.929489, -85.540954 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9295&lon=-85.5410&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9589 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9589/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA225 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper fuel tank selection resulting in 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, climb - to cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis AFTER COMPLETING THREE PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES, THE PILOT PREPARED TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING. AFTER REALIZING THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT LEVELED THE WINGS AND RAISED THE NOSE IN PREPARATION FOR IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. AFTER IMPACT, THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO REST. POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO BE IN THE LEFT INBOARD POSITION. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANK REVEALED THE TANK WAS LOW TO EMPTY. ALL TANKS WERE INTACT AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL SPILL AT THE SCENE. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1994, at 1700 central daylight time, a Beech K35, N153C, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing short of runway 18 at Grand Rapids Airport, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The private pilot and safety pilot received minor injuries. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 91 on an IFR flight plan. The flight originated in Ionia, Michigan, en route to Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the intent to practice instrument approaches. The pilot stated they departed Ionia Airport at 1600, performed a VOR check off of the Grand Rapids VOR, and then received a clearance for an ILS approach to runway 26L at Grand Rapids. After completing three practice approaches, the pilot states he removed the instrument practice hood in preparation for a climb to 3000 feet MSL to return to Ionia. He states that seconds after he removed the hood he noticed that the engine was not developing power. The pilot then initiated emergency procedures for an engine out. After declaring an emergency to air traffic control, the pilot states he concentrated on returning to Grand Rapids to land on runway 28. Realizing that he would not be able to make it back to the runwy, he leveled the wings and raised the nose in preparation for impact with the ground. After impact, the airplane skidded to rest. A postaccident inspection revealed the fuel selector to be in the left inboard position. A visual inspection of the fuel tanks revealed the left outboard tank was empty, the left inboard tank was low to empty, the right outboard tank was low to empty, and the right inboard tank was full. No fuel was present in the fuel line connected to the fuel pump. All tanks were found intact and there was no evidence of a fuel spill at the scene. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N153C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N153C-1996-04-17), registration cancelled 1996-04-17, S/N D5966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH K35 - Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D5966 - Airframe hours: 3593 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard J. Van Lente - Registered owner: Richard J. Van Lente - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1993, 22 hours before - Departed: Y70, IONIA, MI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: GRR, Kent County, runway 18, 3,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 789 total, 336 in this make and model, 629 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Observed at: GRR ## 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 19940708017869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940708017869A), Jul 8, 1994: Beech K35, Grand Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. Exhausted fuel supply. Forced landed. 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.