# NTSB NYC82DA219: Beech 35, N4454S, Topsham, VT, September 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1982, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Topsham, VT
- Location: 44.1337° N, 72.2498° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Topsham, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1337&lon=-72.2498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA219

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

ENGINE QUIT AND PILOT MADE FORCED LANDING IN OPEN FIELD. FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON RIGHT TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. LEFT TANK WAS FULL. FUEL LINES WERE DRY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4454S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4454S-2011-07-15), registration cancelled 2011-07-15, S/N D-9774, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-9774
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Ames
- Registered owner: Robert Ames
- Departed: BTV, BURLINGTON, VT
- Destination: LEWISTON, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,002 total, 34 in this make and model, 423 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## 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 19820908044709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820908044709A), Sep 8, 1982: Beech 35BEECH, Topsham, VT, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route due to fuel starvation. Failed to switch to full tank. Crash landed in a rough field.

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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