# NTSB MIA08CA120: Beech S35, N83LP, Creola, AL, June 15, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 15, 2008, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Creola, AL - Coordinates: 30.913055, -87.980278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9131&lon=-87.9803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68235/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate fuel calculations resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech S35, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a Beech S35 stated that he departed on an instrument flight rules flight in visual flight conditions, from Texas to Alabama, without filling the fuel tanks. He climbed to his cruising altitude, and flew on the right main fuel tank until the fuel was exhausted. He switched the fuel selector to the left main fuel tank and requested a lower altitude from air traffic control (ATC). During the approved descent the engine lost power. He turned on the boost pump and the engine continued to windmill. The pilot stated that he did not engage the starter because he expected the engine to start. He switched the fuel selector back to the right main fuel tank, then left main fuel tank, and back to the right main fuel tank. The engine did not start and the left main fuel tank gauge indicated low. He checked the global position system for the nearest airport, cancelled his instrument flight plan with the air traffic controller, and continued direct to the airport, entering a left downwind while descending. The engine attempted to start and stopped. The pilot turned base, and lowered the landing gear very close to the ground after clearing trees. The left wing stalled, the left wing tip and nose of the airplane collided with the ground, and the airplane came to a complete stop upright. The pilot further stated, " As far as I can tell, I landed without fuel." ## Factual narrative The pilot of a Beech S35 stated he departed on an instrument flight rules flight in visual flight conditions, from Texas to Alabama, without filling the fuel tanks. He climbed to his cruising altitude, and flew on the right main fuel tank until the fuel was exhausted. He switched the fuel selector to the left main fuel tank and requested a lower altitude from air traffic control (ATC). During the approved descent the engine quit. He turned on the boost pump and the engine continued to windmill. The pilot stated he did not engage the starter because he expected the engine to start. He switched the fuel selector back to the right main fuel tank, then left main fuel tank, and back to the right main fuel tank. The engine did not start and the left main fuel tank gauge indicated low. He checked the global position system for the nearest airport, cancelled his instrument flight plan with the air traffic controller, and continued direct to the airport, entering a left downwind while descending. The engine attempted to start and stopped. The pilot turned base, and lowered the landing gear very close to the ground after clearing trees. The left wing stalled, the left wing tip and nose of the airplane collided with the ground, and the airplane came to a complete stop upright. The pilot further stated, " As far as I can tell, I landed with out fuel." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83LP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83LP-2008-07-30), registration cancelled 2008-07-30, S/N D-7775, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech S35 - Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550-B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-b) (registry code 17208, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D7775 - Airframe hours: 11495 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B4F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffrey M. Rowland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008, 4.1 hours before - Departed: TE74, Point, TX - Destination: 1R8, Bay Minette, AL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 15A, Mark Reynolds/North Mobile, runway 21, 2,000 × 180 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 25,700 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 21,300 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KBFM, 17 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 20080615856259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080615856259A), Jun 15, 2008: Beech G35, Creola, AL, Destroyed. (-23) While enroute on an IMC flight plan from point, TX (TE74) to bay minette, AL (1R8), N83LP experienced an engine failure at 5,000 feet. An attempt to… 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.