# NTSB NYC07LA136: Beech K35, N615T, Cross Junction, VA, June 11, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 11, 2007, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Cross Junction, VA - Coordinates: 39.308887, -78.324996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3089&lon=-78.3250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66010 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66010/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA136 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis While maneuvering above a lake, the pilot initiated a right turn and the airplane's engine "sputtered." He leveled the airplane, applied full power, and the engine "came back" and sounded normal. The pilot switched fuel tanks, and since everything "seemed ok," he completed the right turn and leveled the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the engine sputtered again and lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a lake, and was able to egress the airplane prior to it sinking. The airplane and engine were recovered from the lake and retained for further investigation. Approximately 50 gallons of fuel were drained from the main tanks, and the wing tip tanks were empty. The engine was examined and no pre-impact mechanical anomalies were noted. The airplane was last refueled about 4 months prior to the accident, and hadn't flown for approximatley 2 months prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 11, 2007, at 0845 eastern daylight time, a Beech K35, N615T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a lake near Cross Junction, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which originated at Winchester Regional Airport (OKV), Winchester, Virginia, at 0810. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he flew around the local area at an altitude of 1,500 feet for about 15 minutes. He then proceeded to a local lake, and maneuvered above it at 90-100 mph. As he initiated a right turn over the lake, the engine "sputtered." He leveled the airplane and applied full power, and the engine "came back" and sounded normal. The pilot switched fuel tanks, and since everything "seemed ok," he completed the right turn and leveled the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the engine then sputtered again and lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine twice, unsuccessfully. He then performed a forced landing to the lake, and was able to egress the airplane prior to it sinking. The pilot reported he departed OKV with the main fuel tanks three-quarters full, and the wing tip tanks half full. He stated that after takeoff, he switched on the fuel transfer pump, to transfer fuel from the wing tip tanks to the main tanks. The airplane was last refueled 4 months prior to the accident flight. He had flown it twice since the last refueling. The most recent flight prior to the accident flight was 2 months prior. The airplane and engine were recovered from the lake and retained for further investigation. According to the salvage operator who recovered the airplane, approximately 50 gallons of fuel were drained from the main tanks, and the wing tip tanks were empty. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand at the propeller flange and compression was obtained on all cylinders. Valve train continuity was confirmed on all cylinders to the rear accessory section. Water retained from submersion in the lake, was drained from the engine, and an engine start was attempted, but was unsuccessful. Examination of the airplane and engine logbooks revealed the most recent annual inspection was completed on August 8, 2006. No anomalies were noted, and the inspection was the last entry in the logbook. Weather recorded at OKV, approximately 13 miles to the southeast, at 0840, included calm wind, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 21 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 15 degrees C, and altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N615T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N615T-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N D-5788, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech K35 - Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (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-5788 - Airframe hours: 5957 - Engines: Continental IO-470 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John Parkhouse - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2006 - Departed: OKV, Winchester, VA - Destination: OKV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 231 total, 161 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: OKV, 13 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 20070611021989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070611021989A), Jun 11, 2007: Beech K35, Lake Holiday, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that he departed winchester (okv) at 0815 local on 06/11/07. During cruise aircraft spuddered. Pilot switched from left to right fuel… 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.