# NTSB FTW90LA073: Beech S35, N236S, Carrollton, TX, February 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1990, 00:50 local (06:50 UTC)
- Place: Carrollton, TX
- Location: 32.9537° N, 96.8903° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Carrollton, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9537&lon=-96.8903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA073

## Probable cause

STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS CAUSED BY THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SELECTION/MANAGEMENT OF THE APPROPRIATE FUEL TANK. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN RUNNING A FUEL TANK DRY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - light condition - dark night
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT MISMANAGED THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LATTER PORTION OF A CROSS COUNTY FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL NON-MECHANICAL, LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS VECTORED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, BUT STRUCK A TREE AND THE TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 3 STATUTE MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT COULD NOT, DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT WAS FLYING WITH THE LEFT FUEL TANK SELECTED WHICH WAS FOUND DEPLETED OF USEABLE FUEL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS 3/4 FULL OF USEABLE, CLEAN FUEL. AFTER THE LOSS OF POWER, THE FUEL PUMP CAVITATED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME OR ALTITUDE TO PERFORM A RESTART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N236S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N236S-1990-07-23), registration cancelled 1990-07-23, S/N D7858 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7858
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Executive Flight
- Departed: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Destination: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,557 total, 210 in this make and model, 1,504 as pilot in command, 253 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAL, 10 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 19900221002469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900221002469A), Feb 21, 1990: Beech S35, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on vectors to airport,crash landed between buildings after tree strike. Left fuel cell empty,right full

## Other investigations on N236S (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 FTW74DQG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DQG16), Aug 24, 1973: Beech S35 (N236S), Amarillo, TX, 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.

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