# NTSB FTW03LA035: Beech J35, N8355D, Newcastle, OK, November 7, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 2002, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Newcastle, OK - Coordinates: 35.287498, -97.664169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2875&lon=-97.6642&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56020 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56020/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA035 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector and the lack of suitable terrain for landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - fuel system,tank - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The aircraft impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb. The 37,000-hour pilot stated that he "looked over the airplane, sumped the fuel tanks and ran-up the engine." He stated that he selected the left main tank, as required by the operating handbook. The pilot further stated that everything was "normal" and he proceeded to takeoff. After takeoff, "the engine backfired a couple of times" and he banked the airplane around to the east to return to the airport. The pilot further reported that as the airplane continued around to the north, "the engine quit." An examination of the fuel system revealed that the left main fuel tank and both auxiliary fuel tanks contained fuel; however, the right main fuel tank was empty. The right main fuel tank had not been compromised. Further examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel selector was selecting the right main tank, and the right sump area was taped. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 2002, at 0945 central standard time, a Beech J35 single-engine airplane, N8355D, was destroyed upon impact with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from the Low Pass Airport (4OK4), near Newcastle, Oklahoma. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Clarence E. Page Municipal Airport (F29), near Yukon, Oklahoma. In an interview with the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the 37,000-hour pilot stated that he had flown the airplane from F29 to 4OK4, located 14.3 nautical miles apart, one to two days prior to the accident date for paint touchup. Prior to departing from F29, he had the fuel topped off. The pilot stated that this was the last time and place that the aircraft had been fueled. On the day of the accident, the pilot reported that he "looked over the airplane, sumped the fuel tanks and ran-up the engine." He stated that he selected the left main tank, as required by the operating handbook. The pilot further stated that everything was "normal" and he proceeded to takeoff. After takeoff, "the engine backfired a couple of times" and he banked the airplane around to the east to return to the airport. The pilot further reported that as the airplane continued around to the north, "the engine quit." He initiated a forced landing to a wheat field, and during the landing, the airplane struck a tree and the ground. Subsequently, the airplane went down a bank and came to rest upright by the edge of a small lake. Examination of the airplane, by the FAA inspector, revealed that both wings were structurally damaged, the engine was separated from the fuselage, and the fuselage aft of the cabin was fractured. An examination of the fuel system revealed that left main fuel tank and both auxiliary fuel tanks contained fuel; however, the right main fuel tank was empty. The right main fuel tank had not been compromised. Further examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel selector was selecting the right main tank, and the right sump area was taped. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8355D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8355D-2003-01-14), registration cancelled 2003-01-14, S/N D-5502, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech J35 - Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-5502 - Airframe hours: 4500 - Engines: Continental IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: 4OK4, Newcastle, OK - Destination: F29, Yukon, OK - Airport: 4OK4, Low Pass ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: serious; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; last flight review January 9, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 37,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 37,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: OKC, 7 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 20021107031229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021107031229A), Nov 7, 2002: Beech J35, Tuttle, OK, Destroyed. (.19) On November 7, 2002, at 0945 central standard time, a Beech J35 single-engine airplane, N8355D, was destroyed when it impacted a tree and terrain during… ## Other investigations on N8355D (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 FTW67D0346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67D0346), Dec 14, 1966: Beech J35 (N8355D), Lawton, OK, 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.