# NTSB DFW07LA080: Beech P35, N1554Z, Ponca City, OK, March 1, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 1, 2007, 07:55 local (13:55 UTC) - Place: Ponca City, OK - Coordinates: 36.725833, -97.093055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7258&lon=-97.0931&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65357 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65357/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA080 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine lost power when the airplane was established on a 5-mile straight-in final approach. The 511-hour private pilot elected to turn the airplane toward a level open field located on the airport property. While crossing the airport's perimeter road, the airplane "clipped" the top of a moving automobile and subsequently impacted a fence. There was no post impact fire and the pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane by an airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P) under the supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), did not revealed any pre-impact anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On March 1, 2007, about 0755 central standard time, a single-engine Beech P35 airplane, N1554Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on final approach to the Ponca City Regional Airport (PNC), near Ponca City, Oklahoma. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 114-nautical mile cross-country flight originated at 0705 from the Clinton Regional Airport (CLK), near Clinton, Oklahoma, and was destined for PNC. According to the pilot, while on a five mile final approach for Runway 35 at PNC, he reduced engine power to intercept the glide slope. Once established on the glide slope, the pilot attempted to add engine power. The pilot reported that when he added throttle, the engine "sputtered" and then experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot added that he pumped the throttle and switched the fuel selector valve from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank position in an attempt to restore engine power. The engine power was not restored. The pilot elected to turn the airplane towards a flat open field located on the airport property. While crossing the airport's perimeter road, the airplane "clipped" the top of a moving automobile and subsequently impacted a chain-link fence. There was no post impact fire and the pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. The driver of the automobile was not injured. According to photos provided to the NTSB, the airplane came to rest in an upright position on the right main landing gear and the lower engine cowling. The left wing was separated from the fuselage. The airplane was later examined by an airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P) under the supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC). The examination revealed the following: A liquid consistent with aviation fuel was present in the left and right fuel tanks. The airplane's electric fuel pump was operational and displaced fuel when both the left and right fuel tanks were individually selected. The engine's mechanical fuel pump was removed and examined. The diaphragm was found intact and no anomalies were noted. The engine's valve covers and propeller were removed and the engine was rotated via the starter. Thumb compression was obtained in each cylinder and valve train continuity was established. The left and right magnetos produced spark to all spark plugs when rotated. Oil was present in the oil sump. According to the A&P, no anomalies were noted that would have prevented the engine from producing power. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. At 0753, the weather observation facility at PNC reported, wind from 280 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 2,900 feet, temperature 37 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.60 inches of Mercury. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - vehicle - object - fence - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - grass ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1554Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1554Z-2008-11-19), registration cancelled 2008-11-19, S/N D-6864, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech P35 - Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D6864 - Airframe hours: 5679 - Engines: Continental IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul Kluver - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006 - Departed: CLK, CLINTON, OK - Destination: PNC, PONCA CITY, OK - Airport: PNC, Ponca City Muni, runway 35, 7,201 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 511 total, 378 in this make and model, 454 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.60 inHg - Observed at: PNC, 1 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 20070301002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070301002699A), Mar 1, 2007: Beech P35, Ponca City, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) On short final to runway 35 at Ponca City, Oklahoma, the aircraft lost engine power. Pilot was unable to successfully glide to the runway striking a… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.