# NTSB LAX97LA298: Beech H35, N4689D, Vacaville, CA, August 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 1997, 17:05 local (Aug 22, 1997, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Vacaville, CA - Coordinates: 38.409626, -122.010803 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4096&lon=-122.0108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29881 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29881/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA298 ## Probable cause The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply which resulted in fuel starvation. A contributing factor was inoperative fuel gauges. ## 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 - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that the aircraft fuel gauges always read 'full,' so he checked his fuel visually and timed each tank. He stated that he took off with 38 gallons of fuel, with the fuel selector on the left tank, and switched to the right tank about 18 nautical miles from his final destination. While entering the traffic pattern, he heard a 'funny noise.' The pilot reported that he put the throttle forward but the engine didn't seem to respond. He retracted the flaps and turned for the runway. The aircraft crashed in a field approximately 1/4 mile from the end of the runway. The pilot reported to the police officer who responded to the site that he 'blew it and ran out of gas.' An FAA inspector examined the aircraft. The fuel selector was in the 'off' position and fuel was present at the carburetor inlet when the line was removed. The fuel was drained from the aircraft. The right tip tank was empty, but had been damaged in the accident; the right auxiliary tank held about 9 gallons, and the right main tank held about 14 gallons. The left tip tank held about 2 gallons; the left auxiliary tank held 6.5 gallons, and the left main tank held about 3/4 gallon. The inspector stated that the engine was examined and no mechanical problems were found. The aircraft Pilot's Operating Handbook states that the carburetor returns about 3 gallons per hour of excess fuel. Fuel return lines are routed through the selector valve to the left main cell. The auxiliary cells and right main cell return fuel to the left main cell only. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 1997, about 1705 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech H35, N4689D, collided with terrain after a loss of engine power in the airport traffic pattern at the Nut Tree Airport, Vacaville, California. The airplane was substantially damaged. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a business flight by the pilot/owner under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Ukiah, California, at 1600. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he took off with 38 gallons of fuel, with the fuel selector on the left tank. He stated that the fuel gauges in the aircraft always read "full," so he checked his fuel visually and timed each tank. He switched the fuel selector to the right tank about 18 nautical miles from Nut Tree Airport. While entering right traffic for runway 20, he put the landing gear and 10 degrees of flaps down and heard a "funny noise." The pilot reported that he put the throttle forward but the engine didn't seem to respond. He retracted the flaps and turned for the runway. The aircraft crashed in a field approximately 1/4 mile from the end of runway 20. The propeller was bent and the landing gear sheared off. The pilot reported to the police officer that responded to the site that he "blew it and ran out of gas." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Sacramento Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site. He reported that preliminary inspection of the aircraft revealed that the fuel selector was in the "off" position and fuel was present at the carburetor inlet when the line was removed. The inspector further reported that the fuel was drained from the aircraft. The right tip tank was empty, but had been damaged in the accident, the right auxiliary tank held about 9 gallons, and the right main tank held about 14 gallons. The left tip tank held about 2 gallons; the left auxiliary tank held 6.5 gallons, and the left main tank held about 3/4 gallon. The engine rotated normally and thumb compression was verified in all six cylinders. The inspector reported that he did not notice any restriction of the induction air path to the engine. He stated that he inspected the top spark plugs from all six cylinders and found that they displayed normal wear patterns. The engine oil was full. The hand operated fuel pump and fuel selector operated normally. Both magnetos sparked electrodes when rotated by hand. The engine driven fuel pump pumped liquid normally when rotated by hand. There was no water contamination present in the fuel that was drained from the aircraft. The Pilot's Operating Handbook for aircraft serial no. D4874 was reviewed and relevant portions are appended to this file. The handbook states that the carburetor returns about 3 gallons per hour of excess fuel. Fuel return lines are routed through the selector valve to the left main cell. The auxiliary cells and right main cell return fuel to the left main cell only. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4689D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4689D-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N D-4874 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech H35 - Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D4874 - Airframe hours: 4932 - Engines: Continental O-470-G 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steve Rhodes - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1997, 13 hours before - Departed: UKI, UKIAH, CA - Destination: O45 - Airport: O45, Nut Tree, runway 20, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 185 total, 88 in this make and model, 114 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SUU, 7 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 19970821023219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970821023219A), Aug 21, 1997: Beech H35, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine quit on landing, landed short of runway. (.4)the pilot reported that the aircraft fuel gauges always read 'full,' so he checked his fuel… ## Other investigations on N4689D (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR14LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA199), May 22, 2014: Beech H35 (N4689D), Parker, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improperly attached fuel line and cracked fuel diaphragm due to unknown personnel’s inadequate maintenance, which resulted in the loss of engine power during cruise flight and the subsequent… 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.