FTW00LA044

The pilot stated that the airplane was flying at 10,500 feet msl. The pilot added that the left main fuel tank was selected for 30 minutes, he then selected the auxiliary fuel tanks for 1 hour and 15 minutes, and then selected the right main fuel tank. Approximately 15 minutes later, with all of the engine instruments indicating normal operation, the engine lost power, followed after approximately 1 to 2 seconds by a growling noise and shaking of the airplane. The pilot indicated that the growling increased and decreased in severity and eventually there was complete silence. The pilot performed the normal engine restart procedures to no avail. The pilot landed in a field, with the landing gear retracted, and the airplane impacted a ditch during the landing roll. The auxiliary fuel tanks were found empty, the right main fuel tank was approximately full, and the left main fuel tank was approximately 1/4 full. Further examination of the aircraft and engine was not accomplished due to the owner selling the airplane.

On December 14, 1999, at 1230 central standard time, a Beech F35 airplane, N3359C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Elk City, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane and the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Muskogee, Oklahoma, with a final destination of Taylor, Arizona.

In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that the airplane was flying at 10,500 feet msl. The pilot added that the left main fuel tank was selected for 30 minutes, he then selected the auxiliary fuel tanks for 1 hour and 15 minutes, and then selected the right main fuel tank. Approximately 15 minutes later, with all of the engine instruments "in the green," the engine "stopped (no warning, just an abrupt cut-off, followed after approximately 1 to 2 seconds by a very loud growl and violent shaking of the [airplane]." The pilot indicated that the "growling" increased and decreased in severity and eventually there was "complete silence." The pilot performed the "normal engine restart procedures," with no engine response. The pilot attempted to land at Elk City Municipal Airport; however, he could not make the airport and landed gear-up in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane "skidded 120 feet to the lip of [a] ditch, jumped the ditch, struck the far lip of the ditch on the lower 1/2 of the nose and spun 90 degrees to the left coming to rest on the far lip."

The FAA inspector stated that the fuselage was buckled near the baggage door and near the firewall. The FAA inspector added that the auxiliary fuel tanks were empty, the right main fuel tank was approximately full, and the left main fuel tank was approximately 1/4 full. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane was "out of annual, and had flown approximately 25 hours in the last 1.5 years."

Further examination of the aircraft and engine was not accomplished due to the owner selling the airplane.