# NTSB MIA97LA227: Beech V35B, N9236Q, Tullahoma, TN, August 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1997, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Tullahoma, TN - Coordinates: 35.36985, -86.199508 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3698&lon=-86.1995&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38322 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38322/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA227 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper procedure by not placing the fuel selector on the tank with the most fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation, a forced landing, and impact with a tree. ## 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 - final approach - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis While on final approach the airplane's engine lost power about 100 yards short of the runway and impacted with trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that both fuel tanks were breached, and fuel was not observed in either tank. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position. The pilot he realized he had 'error[ed]' and had not switched to the full fuel tank. He switched tanks, but he said 'the engine did not fire.' The airplane was 'low and slow,' but the pilot thought he could still make the runway. The airplane struck the top of a tree and fell to the ground. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, '...this accident could have been avoided by following 'GUMP' [gas-under carriage-mixture-prop] to the letter.' ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1997, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Beech V35B, N9236Q, registered to a private owner, crashed while on approach near Tullahoma, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries, and one passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight had originated from Elkhart, Indiana, at 0945. The pilot stated that after entering the airport traffic pattern for landing on runway 36, he went through the landing procedures, but said "[for] some unknown reason I still did not switch [fuel] tanks." He turned the airplane onto final approach, lowered the landing gear, selected 10 degrees of flaps, and was at a speed of "90 miles per hour." He further stated, "...about 100 yards from touch down...the engine cut out. I realized my error and switched to the full [fuel] tank, but the engine did not fire." The airplane was "low and slow," but the pilot thought he could still make the runway. The airplane struck the top of a tree and fell to the ground. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, "...this accident could have been avoided by following 'GUMP' [gas-under carriage-mixture-prop] to the letter." Examination of the wreckage revealed that both fuel tanks were breached, and fuel was not observed in either tank. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9236Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9236Q-1998-01-17), registration cancelled 1998-01-17, S/N D9288 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech V35B - Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-9288 - Engines: Continental IO-520B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John C. Soteber - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1997, 30 hours before - Departed: EKM, ELKHART, IN - Airport: THA, Tullahoma, runway 36, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 172 total, 97 in this make and model, 122 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970805021279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970805021279A), Aug 5, 1997: Beech V35B, Tullahoma, TN, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Switched tanks no start. Hit trees. Crashed. Fuel tanks were empty. (-23) no narrative. 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.