# NTSB NYC93LA050: Beech F-35, N4266B, Collegeville, PA, December 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1992, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Collegeville, PA
- Location: 40.1869° N, 75.4575° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Collegeville, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1869&lon=-75.4575&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37285
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37285/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA050

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE BEFORE LANDING CHECK LIST IN THE PILOT OPERATORS HANDBOOK IN NOT SELECTING THE FULLEST FUEL TANK FOR LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE.

## 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 - base turn
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED WITH 45 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD.  AFTER 1.3 HOURS OF FLYING, AS THE AIRPLANE ENTERED THE AIRPORT DOWNWIND LEG, THE ENGINE QUIT. UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE GEAR UP IN A FIELD.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FULL LEFT FUEL TANK AND NO FUEL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT TANK.  A POST ACCIDENT TEST RUN OF THE ENGINE WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4266B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4266B-1993-02-04), registration cancelled 1993-02-04, S/N D4255 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F-35
- Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-4255
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Wawrzyniak
- Registered owner: James Wawrzyniak
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: N10, PA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,050 total, 240 in this make and model, 3,050 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19921222055059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921222055059A), Dec 22, 1992: Beech F35, Collegeville, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind at N10. Landed gear up off airport. Had one full tank. Fuel selector on empty tank.

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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