# NTSB LAX97LA096: Beech N35, N61DE, Payson, AZ, February 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 2, 1997, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.190021, -111.170692 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1900&lon=-111.1707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29720 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29720/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA096 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot departed for a 20-minute-long flight with nearly full fuel tanks. During the flight, no unusual sounds or vibrations were noted. The pilot arrived at the destination airport, entered the downwind leg, lowered the landing gear, and went through the 'GUMP' check list. According to the pilot, when he attempted to increase engine power the engine did not respond, and the airplane continued descending. The pilot turned on the fuel boost pump and attempted to restart the engine; however, he was not successful. Unable to glide to the runway, the pilot made a forced landing in trees and brush. An examination of the airplane revealed both fuel tanks had ruptured. The left fuel tank was found ripped open and was dry; the right tank contained about 10 gallons of fuel. The FAA coordinator reported that he examined the recovered airframe wreckage and the engine. The engine was started and it functioned. Normal operation of both magnetos was noted, and no abnormal conditions were found. The reason for the engine power loss was not determined. ## Factual narrative On February 2, 1997, at 0950 hours mountain standard time, a Beech N35, N61DE, operated by Diamond Eagle Inc., Carefree, Arizona, experienced a total loss of engine power while in the traffic pattern at the Payson, Arizona, airport. The pilot made a forced landing into trees and brush short of runway 24. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Carefree at 0930. On February 5, 1997, the pilot verbally reported that the engine power loss had not been preceded by any unusual vibrations, smoke, or sounds. He stated that the engine lost power after he had lowered the landing gear and went through the "GUMP" check list. He first detected the power loss when he attempted to increase engine power on the extended downwind leg. Turning on the electric boost fuel pump had no effect. When the pilot began the flight the left and right fuel tanks contained approximately 37 and 32 gallons of fuel, respectively. The pilot subsequently made the following written statement about the sequence of events: "I tried the to restart the engine. No response. I turned toward the airport and again attempted to restart. No response. I lost altitude fast. No hope of making the airport." The pilot further reported that as the airplane came to rest it collided with 10- to 15-foot high trees and brush. Immediately after stopping the odor of fuel was noted. An examination of the airplane revealed both fuel tanks had ruptured. The left fuel tank was found ripped open and was dry; the right tank contained about 10 gallons of fuel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that he examined the recovered airframe wreckage and the engine. According to the FAA, the engine was started and it functioned. Normal operation of both magnetos was noted. No abnormal conditions were found. The reason for the power loss was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61DE-1999-01-04), registration cancelled 1999-01-04, S/N D6765 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech N35 - Registry model: [Beech N35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-n35) (registry code 1151528) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D6765 - Airframe hours: 3617 - Engines: Continental IO-470-N-1-B 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert W. Glenn - Registered owner: Diamond Eagle Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1996, 7 hours before - Departed: E18, CAREFREE, AZ - Destination: E69 - Airport: E69, Payson, runway 24, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 955 total, 370 in this make and model, 913 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970202001109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970202001109A), Feb 2, 1997: Beech N35, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit in pattern. Landed in trees. Had lowered gear. Fuel tanks ruptured. Engine ran ok in test stand. 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.