# NTSB DEN88LA140: Beech C35, N8930A, Brighton, CO, June 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1988, 21:15 local (Jun 29, 1988, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Brighton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.949756, -104.790016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9498&lon=-104.7900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA140

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - disengaged (cause)
  - annunciator panel light(s) - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND WHILE CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENG LOST PWR. THE FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE INDICATED O PSI. THE PLT SWITCHED ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. THE PLT ACTIVATED THE AUXILIARY (WOBBLE) PUMP AND SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. THE ENG STILL DID NOT RESPOND. THE PLT MADE A DISTRESS CALL AND EXECUTED A WHEELS-UP LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN AND AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS WERE FULL AND THE RIGHT MAIN TANK WAS 3/4-FULL. THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR, ENGINE-DRIVEN FUEL PUMP, ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, OR FUEL LINES. THE WOBBLE PUMP WAS DISASSEMBLED. FUEL WAS EVIDENT ON THE INTAKE SIDE BUT ABSENT ON THE DISCHARGE SIDE. SCRATCHES WERE NOTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PUMP PISTON. THE FUEL SELECTOR DISENGAGEMENT WARNING LIGHT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN THE BULB WAS REPLACED IT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8930A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8930A), registered now, S/N D-2684, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2684
- Airframe hours: 7987
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David J. Peine
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 1987, 66 hours before
- Departed: 1W1, BENNETT, CO
- Destination: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 31 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880628023979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880628023979A), Jun 28, 1988: Beech 35BEECH, Brighton, CO, Substantial damage. Lost fuel pressure. Landed gear up in wheat field. Fuel selector not engaged and warning light was burned out.

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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