# NTSB FTW00LA044: Beech F35, N3359C, Elk City, OK, December 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 14, 1999, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Elk City, OK - Coordinates: 35.399223, -99.410575 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3992&lon=-99.4106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47904/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA044 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A 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, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ditch - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3359C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3359C-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N D-4025, 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 E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-4025 - Engines: Continental E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alvin L. O'Neal - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MKO, MUSKOGEE, OK - Destination: TYL, TAYLOR, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 30 knots, gusting 37 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CSM, 12 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 19991214034939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991214034939A), Dec 14, 1999: Beech F35, Elk City, OK, Substantial damage. (.19) 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… ## Other investigations on N3359C (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA68F0097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68F0097), Jul 16, 1967: Beech F35 (N3359C), Beaverton, OR, substantial damage 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.