# NTSB MIA86LA201: Beech 36, N9031S, Marco Island, FL, July 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1986, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Marco Island, FL
- Location: 26.0095° N, 81.6734° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from MARCO ISLAND EXEC (MKY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0095&lon=-81.6734&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA201

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING LANDING APCH, THE PLT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED FROM THE LEFT FUEL TANK TO THE RIGHT TANK & SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENG FAILED. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG AND A FORCED LDG WAS MADE. AN EXAM OF THE LEFT TANK REVEALED IT TO BE EMPTY WHILE THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED A QUANITY OF FUEL. HE STATED THAT THE TANKS WERE NOT FULL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND THAT HE HAD BEEN OPERATING DURING THE FLT ON THE LEFT TANK. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ENG FUEL SPIDER OR SPIDER SUPPLY LINES. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL CONTAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9031S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9031S-2020-10-24), registration cancelled 2020-10-24, S/N E-117, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 36
- Registry model: [Beech 36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-36) (registry code 1151602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-117
- Airframe hours: 2550
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA2 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert B. Souder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1985
- Departed: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL
- Airport: MKY, Marco Island

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,150 total, 660 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 42 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 19860706030749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860706030749A), Jul 6, 1986: Beech 36BEECH, Marco Island, FL, Destroyed. Engine failed shortly after pilot switched fuel tanks in pattern. Fuel sumps were not drained on preflight.

## Other investigations on N9031S (2)

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 WPR18TA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18TA243), Aug 19, 2018: Beech 36 (N9031S), Kelso, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's fuel mismanagement, which led to fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and the subsequent forced landing to a field.
- [NTSB NYC85LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA172), Jul 14, 1985: Beech 36 (N9031S), Calverton, NY, substantial damage

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.

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