# NTSB MIA95LA066: Beech 35, N5116C, Sardis, MS, January 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1995, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Sardis, MS
- Coordinates: 34.429332, -89.909332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4293&lon=-89.9093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA066

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY A FUEL SELECTOR STEM FAILURE, DUE TO WEAR, THAT PRECLUDED THE PILOT FROM SELECTING A FUEL TANK THAT HAD FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,selector/valve - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WOBBLE PUMP STEM HAD FAILED DUE TO WEAR, WHICH RESULTED IN THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT TO SELECT ANOTHER FUEL TANK THAT HAD FUEL.

## Factual narrative

On January 28, 1995, about 1500 central standard time, N5116C, a Beech BE35-35, registered to and operated by Stanton M. Smith, crashed in Sardis, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Minden, Louisiana, about 1 hour earlier.

The pilot reported the engine failed and he executed a forced landing to a road. During the landing roll the airplane hit signs and both wings were partially ripped off. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that the fuel selector wobble pump stem was broken due to wear on the splines. This condition would preclude the pilot from selecting another fuel tank with fuel available.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5116C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5116C-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N D-833, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-833
- Airframe hours: 4956
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Smith, Stanton M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1994, 30 hours before
- Departed: F24, MINDEN, LA
- Destination: M08, BOLIVR, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,050 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUP, 125 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 19950128006099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950128006099A), Jan 28, 1995: Beech 35BEECH, Sardis, MS, Substantial damage. Lost power. Landed on road. Tore lose wings striking road signs. Fuel selector pump handle broke. Unable select.

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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