# NTSB DEN91IA019: Beech J-35, N8263D, Brighton, CO, November 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1990, 15:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Brighton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.949596, -104.789718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9496&lon=-104.7897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91IA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91IA019

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE FUEL FEED LINE RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WAS IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL FEED TRANSDUCER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,line - fractured (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rising
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

AFTER TEN MINUTES OF FLIGHT WHILE IN A CLIMB TO CRUISE, THE ENGINE FAILED TOTALLY AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON RISING ROUGH TERRAIN. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. INSPECTION REVEALED A FUEL FEED LINE FAILURE BETWEEN THE FUEL FEED TRANSDUCER AND FUEL MANIFOLD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN IMPROPER STC INSTALLATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8263D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8263D), registered now, S/N D-5387, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH J-35
- Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5387
- Airframe hours: 5316
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-407C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kroll, Douglas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1990, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 350 total, 320 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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).

- [Incident 19901118050949I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901118050949I), Nov 18, 1990: Beech J35, Brighton, CO, Minor damage. Engine quit in flight. Landed off airport. Found fitting from fuel flow transducer to spyder valve sheared.

## Other investigations on N8263D (1)

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 SEA70F0126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70F0126), Dec 16, 1969: Beech J35 (N8263D), Billings, MT, 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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