# NTSB DEN89FA178: Beech E35, N3317C, Kalispell, MT, July 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1989, 17:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 48.189865, -114.379623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1899&lon=-114.3796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17600/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA178

## Probable cause

CONTAMINATED FUEL SYSTEM THAT STARVED THE ENGINE OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE KALISPELL AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE EXECUTED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, BUT COULD NOT RESTORE POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED. A POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED DIRT AND SAND CONTAMINANTES IN THE FUEL TANKS AND THAT THE FUEL FILTER SCREENS WERE OBSTRUCTED WITH FOREIGN MATTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3317C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3317C-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N D-3983, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E35
- Registry model: [Beech E35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e35) (registry code 1151512) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D3983
- Airframe hours: 6081
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Engle, Donald F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1988, 83 hours before
- Departed: FCA
- Destination: DKY, DEER PARK, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,184 total, 234 in this make and model, 4,588 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 41 °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 19890724025159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890724025159A), Jul 24, 1989: Beech STC35, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Crash landed off airport. Rust, sand, and tank sealing compound in fuel system.

## Other investigations on N3317C (2)

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.

- [NTSB FTW67D0373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67D0373), Dec 20, 1966: Beech E35 (N3317C), Dallas, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW65D0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW65D0024), Apr 16, 1965: Beechcraft E-35 (N3317C), Waco, TX, substantial damage

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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