# NTSB ERA22LA146: Beech A35, N764B, Waco, GA, March 6, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 6, 2022, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Waco, GA - Coordinates: 33.633145, -85.276781 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6331&lon=-85.2768&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104731/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104731 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA146 ## Probable cause The failure of the fuel pressure indicator line due to corrosion that was not detected during the last annual inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022844): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022844/cases.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022844/cases.md) - [Misc hardware: hoses and tubes](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not serviced/maintained; cases with it: [Beech A35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A35, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech A35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Beech A35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the cross-country flight, the engine began to lose power and as he attempted to regain power, he noted a decrease in fuel pressure. The engine then lost all power, and the pilot made a forced landing on a road. Postaccident examination of the airplane found that the aluminum fuel line from the fuel indicator to the carburetor had ruptured. Additionally, minor corrosion was present around the ruptured area. Based on this information, it is the likely that this corrosion ultimately resulted in the rupture of the fuel line and loss of engine power. Additionally, the airframe maintenance manual prescribed that all fuel lines should have been inspected during the airplane’s most recent annual inspection, which had occurred 8 months and 22 flight hours prior to the accident. Had the corrosion been detected, and the fuel line replaced at that time, it is likely that the loss of engine power would not have occurred. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2022, about 1015 eastern standard time, a Beech A35, N764B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Waco, Georgia. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during the short cross-country flight, the engine began to lose power. As he attempted to regain power, he noticed that the fuel pressure indication fell to zero. The engine stopped producing power and he elected to perform an emergency landing to a road. During the approach to land, the airplane collided with power lines over the road before landing. The pilot exited the airplane and when he opened the engine cowling, he discovered a leaking fuel line. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to the vertical stabilizers and fuselage. Examination of the fuel pressure indicator revealed the fuel line connecting the indicator to the carburetor ruptured. When fuel was supplied to the line, it was subsequently observed leaking from the rupture in the line. The line was removed for further examination, and during the examination visible signs of minor corrosion were discovered around the rupture. A review of the Beech 35 shop manual showed that all fuel lines should be inspected for condition during 100-hour or annual inspections. The fuel line that ruptured was made of a soft aluminum alloy material. Review of the engine and airframe maintenance logbook records indicated that an annual inspection was completed about 8 months prior to the accident. The airplane had accumulated 22 flight hours since the last annual inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N764B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N764B-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N D-1772, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A35 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-1772 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 5212 - Engines: Continental E185 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hoskins Terry W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2021, 22 hours before - Departed: HSV, Huntsville, AL - Destination: GA2, Williamson, GA - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,108 total, 639 in this make and model, 1,054 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: HSV - METAR: METAR KHSV 061553Z 22010KT 10SM SCT075 22/14 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP222 T02220144 ## 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 20220306003679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220306003679A), Mar 6, 2022: Beech A35, Carrollton, GA, Substantial damage. During decent, aircraft lost fuel pressure and subsequently, significant engine power. Pilot stated he attempted to use the auxiliary pump but it not provide… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104731. 22.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13568947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA146_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Mfr FAA statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13707035&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20FAA%20statement%20LA146-Rel.pdf - Mfr Textron ASI statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13706664&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Textron%20discussion%20AH%20LA146-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13707045&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20record%20excerpts%20LA146_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Aircraft shop manual excerpts (item 5, PDF, 7 pages, 12.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13707198&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=B%2035%20Shop%20manual-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13706913&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20photos%20LA146-Rel.pdf 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.