# NTSB DEN89LA014: Beech 58, N31135, Garfield, CO, October 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1988, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Garfield, CO
- Location: 38.5493° N, 106.2893° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garfield, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5493&lon=-106.2893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA014

## 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
  - 1 engine - failure,total
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

N31135 WAS BEING FERRIED TO JAPAN FROM WICHITA WITH AN ENROUTE STOP IN OAKLAND, CA. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH CABIN MOUNTED FERRY TANKS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED FROM THE ACFT FUEL TANKS TO THE FERRY TANK AND ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER THE RIGHT ENG QUIT. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE ENG FAILURE AS IF 'SELECTING IDLE CUTOFF ON THE MIXTURE LEVER.' THE PLT HAD NOT YET PERFORMED THE ENG OUT PROCEDURES AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS WITH UNSUCCESSFUL RESULTS, WHEN THE RT ENG 'SUDDENLY CONTINUED TO RUN AGAIN NORMALLY.' THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PASSING THROUGH 13,000FT MSL IN A CLIMB WHEN THE ENG QUIT. HE SAID HE LOST A FEW THOUSAND FT DURING THE ENG OUT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN MONARCH PASS AT 11,300 FT WITH BOTH ENGINES OPERATING. POST CRASH EXAM DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT HAD FLOWN OVER TWO AIRPORTS DURING THE ENG OUT. THE TERRAIN ELEVATION OF THE AREA TO THE EAST OF THE ACC SITE WAS HALF THAT OF THE PASS. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED AT A GROSS WEIGHT THAT WAS ABOUT 1,000 LBS OVER THE NORMAL MAX GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31135](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31135-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N TH-1538, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TH-1538
- Airframe hours: 18
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-C 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Rangeflyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Rangeflyers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 12, 1988, 18 hours before
- Departed: ICT, WICHITA, KS
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,819 total, 354 in this make and model, 8,353 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19881015048659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881015048659A), Oct 15, 1988: Beech 58, Garfield, CO, Substantial damage. Fuel flow interrupted to right engine nearing mountain pass. Stalled into trees. Had misused ferry tank fuel system

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.