# NTSB LAX85LA173: Beech H35, N5539D, Scottsdale, AZ, March 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1985, 12:12 local (19:12 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.61045, -111.889915 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6105&lon=-111.8899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA173

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - remedial action - not attained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & PAX DEPARTED PHOENIX SKY HARBOR ON A SALES DEMO FLT & LANDED NEARBY AT FALCON FLD. DURING THE RETURN FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER AS THE PLT BEGAN DESCENDING FROM 3800'. HE NOTED THERE WAS NO FUEL FLOW, SO HE USED THE WOBBLE PUMP. THE PLT SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN FUEL PRESSURE, SO HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. HOWEVER, HE WAS STILL UNABLE TO GET FUEL PRESSURE. THE PLT STATED HE 'TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART, SWITCHING TANKS, PUMPING THE WOBBLE PUMP, WITH THE MIXTURE RICH, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE A WHEELS-UP LANDING IN A COTTON FLD, BUT THE ACFT HIT AN IRRIGATION DITCH DURING THE LANDING. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONEDTO THE R MAIN TANK WHICH HAD ONLY A TRACE OF FUEL REMAINING. SOME FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE L MAIN & AUX TANKS. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL INDICATOR SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK POSITION. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5539D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5094
- Airframe hours: 3785
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-G 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Wofford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Airport: SDL, Scottsdale Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,300 total, 450 in this make and model, 5,300 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 11 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 19850315009749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850315009749A), Mar 15, 1985: Beech H35, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. Struck canal during landing after power failure in flight. Unable to restart engine after running tank low.

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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