# NTSB DEN08LA128: Beech 35-C33A, N7965M, Longmont, CO, July 23, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 2008, 10:08 local (16:08 UTC) - Place: Longmont, CO - Coordinates: 40.163612, -105.163055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1636&lon=-105.1631&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 68529 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68529/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA128 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=1151410), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=1151410), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151410), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151410), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 35-C33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that when he was on final approach, he noticed he was slightly below the glidepath and added power to compensate, The engine did not respond and he was forced to land in a barley field. Examination of the engine disclosed power train continuity and thumb compression on all cylinders. The fractured throttle arm failed in overload. The reason for the loss of power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 2008, at 1008 mountain daylight time, a Beech 35-C33A, N7965M, registered to and piloted by the pilot, was substantially damaged when the engine lost power and the airplane landed short of runway 29 at Vance Brand Municipal Airport (LMO), Longmont, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed and activated. There were no injuries to the pilot and his passenger. The cross-country flight originated from Wendover (ENV), Nevada, approximately 0750. According to the pilot's accident report, he descended from 17,000 feet under partial power and entered a 45-degree entry for a left downwind to runway 29. The landing gear was extended and he completed the pre-landing checklist. On final approach with 20-degrees of flaps extended, the pilot noticed he was slightly below the glidepath and added power to compensate. The engine did not respond. He was forced to land in a barley field. The nose and main landing gear attach points were damaged, the firewall was buckled, and both wings were dented and punctured. The airplane and engine were later examined at the facilities of Beegles Aircraft Service, Greeley, Colorado. Power train continuity was noted. There was thumb compression on all cylinders. The throttle arm was found fractured in two places. It was sent to NTSB's metallurgical laboratory for analysis. According to their report, "Fracture features generally showed tear ridges and dimples intermixed with casting voids consistent with overstress fracture. No evidence of preexisting cracking such as fatigue features was observed." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7965M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7965M-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N CE-87, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35-C33A - Registry model: [Beech 35-C33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-c33a) (registry code 1151410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-87 - Airframe hours: 3404 - Engines: Continental IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brian Higley - Registered owner: Michael Crump - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008, 39 hours before - Departed: ENV, Wendover, NV - Destination: LMO, Longmont, CO - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: LMO, Vance Brand, runway 29, 4,800 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,547 total, 281 in this make and model, 1,436 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 256 total, 13 in this make and model, 171 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: FNL ## 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 20080723841729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080723841729A), Jul 23, 2008: Beech 35C33A, Longmont, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 23, 2008, at approximately 0930, N7965M, Beech model BE-33 landed short of the runway at Vance Brand Airport, Longmont, CO. The pilot reported… 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.