# NTSB FTW89LA141: Beech 35-C33A, N9497S, Fort Worth, TX, July 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1989, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.720329, -97.449127 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7203&lon=-97.4491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA141

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO PILOT MISMANAGEMENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER APPROXIMATELY 22 MILES SHORT OF THE DESTINATION. THE AIRPLANE HIT A TREE, SOIL BANK, AND OVERTURNED. THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE HAD NOT REFUELED SINCE THE AIRPLANE HAD COMPLETED AN ENGINE OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9497S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9497S-1991-07-09), registration cancelled 1991-07-09, S/N CE13 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35-C33A
- Registry model: [Beech 35-C33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-c33a) (registry code 1151410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE13
- Airframe hours: 2780
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vanhofwegen, Ronald Roy
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: FTW, FORT WORTH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 251 total, 169 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 22 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 19890714033159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890714033159A), Jul 14, 1989: Beech 35C33A, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Crash landed in a sand pit. Aircraft not fueled since engine overhaul and runup in April.

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.