# NTSB SEA03LA078: Beech F-35, N5030B, Anacortes, WA, May 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 2003, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Anacortes, WA - Coordinates: 48.549999, -122.550003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5500&lon=-122.5500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Seattle FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56958/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA078 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent selection of the incorrect fuel tank selector position (OFF) while in cruise flight over open water, and his failure to activate the fuel wobble-pump. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - incorrect, pilot in command (cause) - fuel boost pump selector position - not used, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, whose plan it was to fly around the local area for about 45 minutes, he attempted to switch to an auxiliary fuel tank in order to maintain a specific amount of fuel in each main tank. But while moving the fuel tank selector lever, he inadvertently turned the fuel selector to the OFF position. Soon thereafter the engine lost power, and the pilot moved the selector back to the left main tank. He then expected the windmilling engine to start running again, but because he forgot to activate the fuel wobble-pump, the engine did not restart. Because he was over water, he donned a floatation vest and flew the aircraft to a power-off landing on the water's surface. After ditching, the pilot exited the aircraft, and was soon thereafter picked up by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fishing ship. According to the pilot, there did not seem to be any problems with the aircraft's fuel system or engine. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 2003, approximately 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Beechcraft F-35, N5030B, ditched in the waters near Anacortes, Washington, after experiencing a complete loss of engine power in cruise flight. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sank to the bottom of the bay. The local 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Skagit Regional Airport, about 10 minuets earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, whose plan it was to fly around the local area for about 45 minutes, he meant to switch to an auxiliary fuel tank in order to maintain a specific amount of fuel in each main tank. But while moving the fuel tank selector lever, he inadvertently turned the fuel selector to the OFF position. Soon thereafter the engine quit, and the pilot moved the selector back to the left main tank. He then expected the windmilling engine to start running again, but because he forgot to activate the fuel wobble-pump, the engine did not restart. Because he was over water, he donned a floatation vest and flew the aircraft to a power-off landing on the water's surface. After ditching, the pilot exited the aircraft, and was soon thereafter picked up by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fishing ship. According to the pilot, there did not seem to be any problems with the aircraft's fuel system or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5030B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5030B-2006-04-26), registration cancelled 2006-04-26, S/N D-4297, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech F-35 - Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-4297 - Engines: Continental E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert W. Ajeman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 2002 - Departed: BVS, Burlington, WA - Destination: BVS, Burlington, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 6, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,087 total, 187 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F ## 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 20030508009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030508009379A), May 8, 2003: Beech F35, Anacortes, WA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot stated during a telephone interview that after flying around the local area for about 20 minutes, he attempted to switch from the 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.