# NTSB SEA04LA094: Beech P-35, N7DR, Havre, MT, May 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 2004, 11:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Havre, MT - Coordinates: 48.549446, -109.75 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5494&lon=-109.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59365 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59365/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA094 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb after takeoff as a result of an unsecured fuel sender unit which resulted in a false fuel quantity indication. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - not secured (cause) - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot reported that just after lift-off from runway 25, he verified a positive rate of climb and retracted the landing gear. Shortly thereafter, the pilot felt a slight hesitation in the engine. The pilot switched the fuel selector when the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing on the remaining runway. The aircraft touched down and the right main gear collapsed. The right wing contacted the runway surface and the aircraft spun around coming to rest near the end of the runway. Post-accident inspection of the engine found no evidence of a mechanical malfunction. Both fuel tanks were inspected for fuel and a trace amount of fuel was found in each fuel bladder. Inspection of the right wing inboard fuel sender found that the unit was unsecured. The left wings sender unit was secured. Both sender units were checked for cockpit indications. Both indicated empty when the float was extended to the bottom of the tanks and indicated fuel levels throughout the movement of the float from top to bottom. Approximately three gallons of fuel was put in the right side fuel tank to inspect for leaks. None were detected. The left wings piping structure had pulled out of the bladder connector during the accident sequence which allowed fuel to drain from the left fuel tank therefore fuel quantity could not be determined. The left and right side fuel tanks are not interconnected. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2004, approximately 1310 mountain daylight time, a Beech P-35, N7DR, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 local flight, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Havre, Montana. During the emergency landing, the aircraft was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and his three passengers were not injured. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that just after lift-off from runway 25, he verified a positive rate of climb and retracted the landing gear. Shortly thereafter, the pilot felt a slight hesitation in the engine. The pilot switched the fuel selector when the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot noted that at this time the aircraft had drifted about 200 feet off of runway centerline. He immediately lowered the nose to maintain airspeed and extended the landing gear to re-land on the remaining runway. The aircraft touched down and the right main gear collapsed. The right wing contacted the runway surface and the aircraft spun around coming to rest near the end of the runway. After the aircraft was removed from the runway and placed in a secured location, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Helena, Montana, Flight Standards District Office, and a certified Airframe & Powerplant, Inspection Authorization mechanic inspected the aircraft. The mechanic reported that during the engine inspection, no evidence of a mechanical malfunction was noted. No fuel leaks were detected. The fuel selector was checked and found functional. Both fuel tanks were inspected for fuel and a trace amount of fuel was found in each fuel bladder. Inspection of the right wing inboard fuel sender found that the unit was unsecured. The left wings sender unit was secured. Both sender units were checked for cockpit indications. Both indicated empty when the float was extended to the bottom of the tanks and indicated fuel levels throughout the movement of the float from top to bottom. Approximately three gallons of fuel was put in the right side fuel tank to inspect for leaks. None were detected. The left wings piping structure had pulled out of the bladder connector during the accident sequence which allowed fuel to drain from the left fuel tank therefore fuel quantity could not be determined. The left and right side fuel tanks are not interconnected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7DR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7DR-2005-02-03), registration cancelled 2005-02-03, S/N D-6995, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech P-35 - Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (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-6995 - Airframe hours: 4720 - Engines: Continental IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter E. Herman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2003, 75 hours before - Departed: HVR, Havre, MT - Destination: 3U8, Big Sandy, MT - Airport: HVR, Havre City - County, runway 25, 5,205 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 28, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 996 total, 220 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: HVR ## 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 20040529011079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040529011079A), May 29, 2004: Beech P35, Havre, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 29, 2004, at approximately 1:10 p.m. mountain daylight time, a Beech P-35, registered as N7DR, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after… 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.