# NTSB FTW98LA045: Beech J35, N171Y, Provo, UT, November 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 5, 1997, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Provo, UT - Coordinates: 40.220184, -111.689796 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2202&lon=-111.6898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20480 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20480/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA045 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to properly position the fuel tank selector to a tank with adequate fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation, and a subsequent forced landing due to lack of engine power. His failure (or inability) to extent the gear for landing was a related factor. ## 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 - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - gear extension - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot departed Salt Lake City and flew to Provo, Utah, where he made a full flap touch-and-go landing on runway 18. He retracted the flaps, applied full power, and lifted off. As the airplane began its initial climb, the pilot retracted the landing gear. As the gear doors closed, the engine lost power. The pilot lowered the nose to maintain airspeed, turned on the boost pump, and 'checked fuel selector and magnetos.' The engine failed to respond. The pilot then lowered the landing gear, but the airplane touched down on the runway prior to full gear extension. According to an FAA inspector, who went to the scene, the pilot had recently received a checkout in the Beech J35. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left auxiliary tank, which was empty. There was fuel in the main tanks. ## Factual narrative On November 5, 1997, at about 1500 mountain standard time, a Beech J35, N171Y, was substantially damaged after the engine lost power and collided with terrain at Provo, UT. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he departed Salt Lake City approximately 1415 MST, flew to Provo, Utah, and made a full flap touch and go landing on runway 18. He retracted the flaps, applied full power, and lifted off. As the airplane began its initial climb, he retracted the landing gear. As the gear doors closed, the engine lost power. The pilot lowered the nose to maintain airspeed, turned on the boost pump, and "checked fuel selector and magnetos." The engine failed to respond. The pilot then lowered the landing gear, but the airplane impacted the runway prior to full gear extension. The aircraft came to rest near the end of the runway. According to the FAA inspector who went to the scene, the majority of the pilot's flight experience had been in the Cessna 182, and he had recently received a checkout in the Beech J35. The fuel selector was found positioned on the left auxiliary tank. The tank was empty. There was fuel in both the left and right main tanks. According to the operator, only one gallon of fuel is maintained in each auxiliary tank since they are rarely used. The pilot said that when he flew the Cessna 182, he would always switch from either the left or right main tank to BOTH when he was on the downwind leg. On the accident flight, he switched from the left main to the left auxiliary tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N171Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N171Y), registered now, S/N D-5467, 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-5467 - Airframe hours: 6037 - Engines: Continental IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mwf Beech, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1997, 66 hours before - Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Destination: PVU - Airport: PVU, Provo Municipal, runway 13, 7,091 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 451 total, 12 in this make and model, 383 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PVU ## 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 19971105048129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971105048129A), Nov 5, 1997: Beech J35, Provo, UT, Substantial damage. (-16) The pilot explained he departed the salt lake city airport and flew to Provo airport where he did a touch and go landing. After applying full power,… 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.