# NTSB LAX93LA191: Beech F35, N4255B, Sandy Valley, NV, February 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1993, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Sandy Valley, NV
- Coordinates: 35.749603, -115.529716 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7496&lon=-115.5297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA191

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE, AND TO ASSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL WAS ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT.  THIS SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO AN INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY IN THE LEFT TANK, AND FUEL STARVATION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

NEITHER THE PILOT NOR THE OPERATOR CHECKED THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL LEVEL BEFORE THE FLIGHT.  THE PILOT, IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, SAID HE WAS 'CHECKED OUT' IN THE AIRCRAFT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES BY THE FORMER OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT TOOK OFF TO FLY THREE MILES TO HIS RANCH.  THE ENGINE QUIT AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACH THE RANCH.  THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING AND LANDED 50 FEET SHORT OF A ROAD.  THE OWNER INSPECTED THE LEFT TANK AND SAID THE TANK WAS 'BONE DRY.'  THE PILOT SAID HE HAD NOT CHANGED OR SWITCHED TANKS.  HE SAID THE GAUGE SHOWED 1/2 FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4255B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4255B-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N D-4259, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F35
- Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D4259
- Airframe hours: 5687
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry F. Curtis
- Registered owner: Eugene C. Falk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1992, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 35 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 19930207002329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930207002329A), Feb 7, 1993: Beech F35, Sandy Valley, NV, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout for short flight. Left tank ran dry. Failed to switch to right tank with fuel.

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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