# NTSB NYC04LA027: Beech M35, N9730R, Bellefonte, PA, November 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 2003, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Bellefonte, PA - Coordinates: 40.885555, -77.81639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8856&lon=-77.8164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-13 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58307/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA027 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during approach for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot departed with 70 gallons of fuel and flew approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to his destination airport. While on an extended crosswind leg for the runway, the engine lost all power. The pilot discontinued the approach, and immediately turned toward a clearing. While gliding toward the clearing, the pilot attempted to restart the engine by verifying the mixture was rich, repositioning the fuel selector, verifying the electric fuel pump was on, and cycling the ignition key. The fuel selector was positioned to the right main fuel tank when the engine lost all power. The pilot attempted a restart with the fuel selector positioned to the right main fuel tank, and the left main fuel tank. However, the engine did not regain power. The airplane struck trees and came to rest prior to the clearing. Examination of the wreckage revealed fuel present in both main fuel tanks. A subsequent test-run of the engine was performed at a recovery facility. The engine started with no difficulty, and ran continuously at 1500 rpm. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 2003, about 1520 eastern standard time, a Beech M35, N9730R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power while on approach to Bellefonte Airport (N96), Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed from Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), Staunton, Virginia, about 1345. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he was flying an extended crosswind leg for runway 25 at Bellefonte Airport, in an attempt to remain below traffic departing on runway 24 at nearby University Park Airport (UNV), State College, Pennsylvania. While on the extended crosswind leg, the engine lost all power. The pilot discontinued the approach to runway 25, and immediately turned toward a clearing near UNV. While gliding toward the clearing, the pilot attempted to restart the engine by verifying the mixture was rich, repositioning the fuel selector, verifying the electric fuel pump was on, and cycling the ignition key. However, the engine did not regain power. The airplane struck trees and came to rest prior to the clearing. During the impact, the airplane sustained damage to both wings, the propeller, and the empennage. The pilot further stated that the airplane had two 22-gallon main fuel tanks, two 15-gallon wingtip tanks, and two 10-gallon auxiliary fuel tanks. The pilot had "topped off" the auxiliary fuel tanks at SHD, and had 70 gallons of fuel on board at takeoff. The pilot further stated that the fuel selector was positioned to the right main fuel tank when the engine lost all power. The pilot attempted a restart with the fuel selector positioned to the right main fuel tank, and the left main fuel tank. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed fuel in both main fuel tanks. A subsequent test-run of the engine was performed at a recovery facility. The engine started with no difficulty, and ran continuously at 1500 rpm. Due to impact damage, a higher rpm setting was not attempted. The reported wind at UNV, at 1520, was from 260 degrees at 12 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9730R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9730R-2005-06-13), registration cancelled 2005-06-13, S/N D-6204, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech M35 - Registry model: [Beech M35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-m35) (registry code 1151526) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-6204 - Airframe hours: 4608 - Engines: Continental IO 470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kyle J. Kerestes - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2003, 8 hours before - Departed: SHD, Shenandoah, VA - Destination: N96, Bellefonte, PA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: N96, Bellefonte Airport, runway 25, 3,585 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 4, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 5,790 total, 600 in this make and model, 4,945 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: UNV, 1 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 20031107035609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031107035609A), Nov 7, 2003: Beech M35, State College, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Engine power loss on approach to bellefonte (N96). Emergency procedures were conducted with unsatisfactory results. ## Other investigations on N9730R (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 MKC86LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA041), Dec 27, 1985: Beech M35 (N9730R), Council Bluffs, IA, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC66F0574](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66F0574), May 22, 1966: Beech M35 (N9730R), St. Joseph, MO, 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. --- 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.