# NTSB DEN89LA062: Beech V35B, N1721W, Broomfield, CO, January 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1989, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Broomfield, CO
- Coordinates: 39.940326, -105.060028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9403&lon=-105.0600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA062

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTIOR OPERATION BY THE PILOT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: UNPREPARED (ROUGH/UNEVEN) TERRAIN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE CFI RATED PLT WAS PERFORMING A SALES-DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT WITH TWO PAX. THE LEFT SEAT PAX WAS FLYING. THE CONTROL TOWER HAD CLEARED THE FLIGHT TO LAND ON RWY 29R, A 7,498 X 100 FT ASPHALT RWY, WITH WINDS REPORTED AS 190 DEGREES AT 6 KNOTS. THE CFI SAID THAT JUST PRIOR TO TURNING BASE, THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS AND ATTEMPTED A RESTART, TO NO AVAIL. THE CFI FIRST RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR, TO CLEAR OBSTACLES, THEN EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR TO ABSORB LANDING IMPACT. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 600 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING ROLL OUT AND THE ACFT CAME TO REST 400 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF RWY 29R. POST ACDNT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE RGT FUEL TANK AND THE RGT TANK WAS EMPTY. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINES OR FUEL PUMP. BOTH PAX SAID THE FUEL PRESS DROPPED TO ZERO WHEN THE ENG QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1721W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1721W-2018-03-20), registration cancelled 2018-03-20, S/N D-9401, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D9401
- Airframe hours: 2670
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Denver Air Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1988
- Departed: BJC
- Destination: BJC
- Airport: BJC, Jeffco, runway 29R, 7,498 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,241 total, 26 in this make and model, 2,081 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19890118000839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890118000839A), Jan 18, 1989: Beech V35B, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit turning final on a demo flight landed short and collapsed near on runway lip. Selector on empty tank.

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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