ERA20LA018

The pilot reported that, during a simulated loss of engine power landing, the airplane was too fast and high, so he performed a forward slip to the left to increase the descent rate. The airplane touched down on the runway with less than 1/3 of its distance remaining and immediately bounced back into the air. The pilot added power to initiate a go-around; however, the engine did not respond, and the airplane subsequently descended into trees and terrain beyond the departure end of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. Examination revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation, and the engine produced normal power during a test run. Thus, it is likely that the fuel unported from the right tank following the forward slip to the left, and the fuel supply was interrupted as the pilot attempted the go-around. The accident would have likely been prevented if the pilot had performed a go-around earlier during the approach, when he realized that the airplane was too high and too fast to safely land on the available runway.

On October 18, 2019, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Beech N35 airplane, N564T, impacted terrain and trees during a go-around at Monroe County Airport (MNV), Madisonville, Tennessee. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during the approach to MNV he decided to perform a training exercise by simulating an engine failure during the landing. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 5 and reduced power to idle; while on final approach he reported that the airplane was "a little fast and a little high" so he performed a forward slip to the left (left rudder application) for a "second or two." He continued the approach and the airplane touched down with about 1,000 ft of the 3,643 ft runway remaining and immediately bounced back into the air. The pilot decided to perform a go-around and applied power; however, the engine did not respond. The airplane flew beyond the departure end of the runway, touched down in grass, and skidded into shrubs and trees. The left and right wings sustained substantial damage. Postaccident, the pilot reported that he believed the slip maneuver "unported fuel from the right tank [selected tank for approach] and prevented the plane from throttling up." He reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. There were no obstructions or debris found in the fuel system and the engine produced normal power when it was test run. Inspection revealed 17 gallons of fuel in the right tank and 22 gallons in the left tank. The airplane flight manual stated in part: FUEL CELLS Fuel supply is carried in two bladder-type cells with a total capacity of [40 gallons, optional fuel system installed], located in the wings just outboard of the fuselage. Fuel is fed from the cells to a selector valve just forward of the front seat, on the left side, then through a strainer to the fuel pump and the engine. The fuel tank fillers are located in the wing leading edges. Maximum Slip Duration: 30 seconds for airplanes with baffled main fuel cells in both wings.