# NTSB DFW07CA064: Beech F35, N6XH, McKinney, TX, February 4, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 4, 2007, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: McKinney, TX - Coordinates: 33.1766666666667, -96.59 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1767&lon=-96.5900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Dallas, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 65238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65238/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA064 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot made a forced landing to a plowed field after loss of engine power. The 1,800-hour commercial pilot, who reported having accumulated 35 hours in the make and model, reported a loss of engine power prior to entering the downwind leg while on a local flight. According to the pilot, the airplane had been flown under a ferry permit "several months ago" to another airport where an annual inspection was to be completed. The airplane had not been refueled since the ferry flight. The pilot reported that he was planning on making two local flights in order to show the four-place airplane to two separate passengers. During his preflight inspection, prior to the first flight, the pilot noted that all the fuel tanks, including the two auxiliary fuel tanks, appeared to be full and free of contaminants. On the first flight, the pilot reported flying north of the airport for approximately 7 to 10 minutes, performing several maneuvers, and then return to the airport for a full stop landing. The first flight was uneventful. On the second flight, the pilot took the second passenger and followed the same route taken on the previous flight. While returning to the airport, when approximately 4 or 5 miles short of the airport, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the left main tank and reduced power. Immediately after the power reduction the pilot noted that the engine "lugged down and roughened." After attempting different power and mixture settings, the pilot switched to an auxiliary fuel tank, and then switched back the left main fuel tank. The pilot reported that the engine then "died altogether" and he switched the fuel selector to the right main tank. The airplane landed in a wet-freshly plowed field with the gear and flaps retracted. The single-engine airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom of the fuselage and the engine firewall. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, noted that he found the fuel selector in the right main tank position and he also noted that the right main fuel tank was empty. The inspector also noted the pilot's management of the fuel system was contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as wind from 020 degrees at 10 knots, clear skies, with a barometric pressure setting 30.38 inches of Mercury. ## Factual narrative The 1,800-hour commercial pilot, who reported having accumulated 35 hours in the make and model, reported a loss of engine power prior to entering the downwind leg while on a local flight. According to the pilot, the airplane had been flown under a ferry permit "several months ago" to another airport where an annual inspection was to be completed. The airplane had not been refueled since the ferry flight. The pilot reported that he was planning on making two local flights in order to show the four-place airplane to two separate passengers. During his preflight inspection, prior to the first flight, the pilot noted that all the fuel tanks, including the two auxiliary fuel tanks, appeared to be full and free of contaminants. On the first flight, the pilot reported flying north of the airport for approximately 7 to 10 minutes, performing several maneuvers, and then return to the airport for a full stop landing. The first flight was uneventful. On the second flight, the pilot took the second passenger and followed the same route taken on the previous flight. While returning to the airport, when approximately 4 or 5 miles short of the airport, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the left main tank and reduced power. Immediately after the power reduction the pilot noted that the engine "lugged down and roughened." After attempting different power and mixture settings, the pilot switched to an auxiliary fuel tank, and then switched back the left main fuel tank. The pilot reported that the engine then "died altogether" and he switched the fuel selector to the right main tank. The airplane landed in a wet-freshly plowed field with the gear and flaps retracted. The single-engine airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom of the fuselage and the engine firewall. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, noted that he found the fuel selector in the right main tank position and he also noted that the right main fuel tank was empty. The inspector also noted the pilot's management of the fuel system was contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as wind from 020 degrees at 10 knots, clear skies, with a barometric pressure setting 30.38 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6XH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6XH-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N D-4247, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech F35 - Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-4247 - Engines: Continental IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007 - Departed: McKinney, TX - Destination: McKinney, TX - Airport: KTKI, Collin County Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 35 in this make and model, 1,650 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 15 knots, gusting 5 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KTKI, 5 nm away ## 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 20070204001549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070204001549A), Feb 4, 2007: Beech F35, Celina, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 4, 2007, a Beech bonanza, N6XH, at 1330 local time, had an emergency power off landing in a field in Celina Texas. VMC weather conditions… 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.