# NTSB FTW87FA139: Beech V35A, N39JB, El Paso, TX, June 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1987, 19:33 local (Jun 10, 1987, 01:33 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.799688, -106.360122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7997&lon=-106.3601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA139

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE PWR LOSS SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK A HOUSE DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. EVIDENCE DID INDICATE THAT ONE TANK WAS EITHER DRY OR WAS UNPORTED DURING THE DEPARTURE TURN. RADAR DATA INDICATED THAT ACFT WAS IN A LEFT TURN IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE PWR LOSS. FIRE DAMAGE PATTERN INDICATED AT LEAST RESIDUAL FUEL ON BOARD AT TIME OF IMPACT. PLT, WHO WAS ALSO AN A&P MECHANIC, STATED TO ATC THAT HE WAS 'APPARENTLY' OUT OF GAS' AND THAT HE COULD NOT GET THE ENG RESTARTED. PLT HAD RECENTLY BEEN ADMONISHED BY AN INSTRUCTOR FOR NOT TAXIING OUT AND TAKING OFF ON THE FULLEST TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N39JB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-8659
- Airframe hours: 2272
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA2 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Macguire
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: ELP
- Destination: 5T6, SANTA TERESA, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 466 total, 38 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 2 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 19870609019119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870609019119A), Jun 9, 1987: Beech V35A, El Paso, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel on climbout. Struck a house and burned on the forced landing.

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.

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