LAX98LA232

The pilot was inbound to land after a cross-country flight. While on final approach, and due to a possible conflict with parachutists, he changed runways at the uncontrolled airport. As he was maneuvering at low altitude he lost engine power. The aircraft was over unfavorable terrain at the time, and the pilot chose to land in one of three sewage treatment ponds. The damage after landing in the pond appeared to be substantial; however, during the recovery of the aircraft it was destroyed. When the Safety Board viewed the aircraft it was disassembled with the engine missing.

On July 14, 1998, about 0945 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36TC, N999AJ, was destroyed following a forced landing at Boulder City, Nevada. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of power while the aircraft was maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing. The pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The flight originated at La Verne, California, on the morning of the accident at 0755.

The pilot, who had owned the aircraft for several years, was inbound for landing on runway 27. Due to a possible conflict with parachutists, he changed to runway 33. As he was maneuvering to land on runway 33, the engine lost all power. The pilot was low over unfavorable terrain and chose to land in one of the three sewage treatment ponds.

The damage after landing in the pond appeared to be substantial; however, during the recovery the aircraft was destroyed and sources of evidence were limited. The Safety Board inspected the fuel cell reservoirs of both wing fuel tanks at the recovery yard in Phoenix, Arizona, and they both appeared to have operational flapper doors.

A maintenance technician at Boulder City reportedly drained about 15 gallons from the left fuel tank and about 10 gallons from the right. All fuel lines reportedly had water inside the lines.

Reports of smoke signatures trailing down the left side of the fuselage from the engine compartment were unsubstantiated. When the Safety Board viewed the aircraft it was disassembled and the engine was not present.