# NTSB LAX96LA286: Beech J-35, N8399J, Lovelock, NV, July 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1996, 17:30 local (Jul 23, 1996, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Lovelock, NV - Coordinates: 40.319892, -118.199783 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3199&lon=-118.1998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29520 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29520/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA286 ## Probable cause fuel starvation. ## 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 - fuel injection control/system - starvation (cause) - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis The pilot performed 8 or 9 touch-and-go landings, and after liftoff, at approximately 200 feet agl, the engine lost power and quit. On previous takeoffs, at approximately 300 plus feet agl, he would switch from the main fuel tank to the auxiliary tanks, fly out about 5 miles and return. During the downwind leg of the pattern he would switch from the auxiliary tanks back to the left main tank for the touch-and-go landing. He stated that he thought that he may have lost fuel flow when the engine quit; however, he did not visually check the fuel pressure gauge. Postaccident examination of the fuel distributor valve, fuel pump vapor return line, and the fuel pump outlet line revealed that they were dry. He reported that he had been airborne for approximately 1.5 hours. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1996, about 1730 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech J-35, N8399J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Lovelock, Nevada. The pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot had performed 8 or 9 touch-and-go landings on runway 01. During the initial climb, about 200 feet agl, the engine lost power and the pilot landed straight ahead coming to rest about 1/4 mile beyond the end of the runway. The pilot reported that the outside air temperature was 104 degrees Fahrenheit. He stated that the engine temperatures were high, but not abnormal. According to the FAA inspector on-scene, the pilot told him that each time after departure he would fly out about 5 miles and then return to the airport. During this time, he would switch between the main fuel tanks and the auxiliary tanks. The fuel system consists of two 20-gallon main fuel tanks (17 gallons usable each) and two 10-gallon auxiliary fuel tanks. The pilot stated that the fuel tanks were topped off prior to the flight. The pilot also stated that the engine may have lost fuel flow when the engine quit. He stated that he had been airborne about 1.5 hours prior to the loss of engine power. The fuel system components that were examined forward of the firewall were the fuel distributor valve, fuel vapor return line, and the fuel pump outlet line; all with no signs of fuel. The fuel pump inlet line had traces of fuel present. The fuel inlet screen was clean and dry with a fitting broken from the assembly body. The fuel tanks were visually checked at the accident site. Both auxiliary tanks had in excess of 2 inches of fuel remaining. The left main fuel tank was 1 inch from the filler neck. The right main was dry with the quick drain valve severed. Evidence of fuel was found in a dirt sample under that drain valve. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8399J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8399J-1997-03-06), registration cancelled 1997-03-06, S/N D5520 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech J-35 - Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-5520 - Airframe hours: 5544 - Engines: Continental IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harrell A. Hoskins - Registered owner: George R. Clary - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1995, 57 hours before - Departed: KLOL, LOVELOCK, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,200 total, 200 in this make and model, 5,016 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 100 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KLO, 1 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 19960723019209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960723019209A), Jul 23, 1996: Beech J35, Lovelock, NV, Substantial damage. Engine failed on takeoff and crashed. (.4)the pilot performed 8 or 9 touch-and-go landings, and after liftoff, at approximately 200 feet AGL, the engine lost… 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.