# NTSB LAX98LA136: Beech M35, N9703R, North Las Vegas, NV, April 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1998, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: North Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.240127, -115.230728 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2401&lon=-115.2307&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30068 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30068/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA136 ## Probable cause fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper fuel management and his failure to select the fullest tank for landing. ## 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) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis While on approach to the destination airport from a cross-country flight, the tower instructed the pilot to turn left to a downwind for landing. After completing the left turn the engine quit about pattern altitude. The pilot reported that he switched tanks several times in an unsuccessful attempt to get a restart. The fuel selector was found in the auxiliary fuel tank position. Recovery personnel removed about 18 gallons of fuel from the right fuel tanks, 2 gallons from the auxiliary and 16 from the right main tank. The left fuel tanks were ruptured. The estimated flight time from departure to North Las Vegas is 1.5 hours, and according to the engine manufacturer, the estimated fuel consumption at 75 percent power would be 24.375 gallons for that time. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1998, at 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech M35, N9703R, was substantially damaged after a total loss of engine power while on a 3/4 mile final approach to runway 07 at the North Las Vegas, Nevada, airport. The pilot force landed into a residential area, resulting in minor damage to two homes. The pilot and passenger both received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot had obtained a preflight weather briefing prior to departing Hawthorne, California, about 0930. The pilot reported that he had just completed a requested left turn to the downwind when the engine quit. He said that he turned towards the airport and attempted a restart, changing the fuel selector several times. The on-scene Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the fuel selector was found in the auxiliary fuel tank position. According to recovery personnel, about 18 gallons of fuel was removed from the right fuel tanks, 2 gallons from the auxiliary and 16 from the right main tank. The left fuel tanks were ruptured. The standard M35 fuel system consists of two 25-gallon main tanks, with 22 usable in each tank, and two 10-gallon interconnected auxiliary tanks, with 19.5 usable in each tank. The system has an electric fuel boost pump as standard equipment. The flight from Hawthorne to North Las Vegas, according to the Los Angeles sectional aeronautical chart and Beech performance data, was estimated to be a 1.5-hour flight. According to the engine manufacturer, Continental Motors, the estimated fuel consumption at 75 percent power would be 24.375 gallons for that time. After repeated requests, the pilot has not returned the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9703R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9703R-1998-11-09), registration cancelled 1998-11-09, S/N D6210 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech M35 - Registry model: [Beech M35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-m35) (registry code 1151526) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-6210 - Engines: Continental IO-470-C 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA - Destination: VGT, NV - Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas, runway 7, 5,005 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 530 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VGT, 2 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 19980418007249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980418007249A), Apr 18, 1998: Beech M35, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot was reporting acft was losing power and going down, crashed into the yard of a home, acft was destroyed. (.4)while on approach to the destination airport… 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.