# NTSB SEA88LA151: Beech N35, N25EM, Fallon, NV, August 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1988, 21:30 local (Aug 14, 1988, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Fallon, NV
- Coordinates: 39.500846, -118.290336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5008&lon=-118.2903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - worn (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ENG LOST POWER ON PRACTICE MISSED APPROACH. FORCED LANDING MADE IN ROUGH TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED RIGHT FUEL TANK EMPTY, LEFT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 25 GALS. FUEL SELECTOR HAD NO POSITIVE STOP AT 'OFF' POSITION, NO DETENT FOR RIGHT TANK POSITION. LEFT TANK DETENT FOUND TO BE BETWEEN 'OFF' AND 'RIGHT TANK.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25EM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25EM-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N D-6724, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH N35
- Registry model: [Beech N35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-n35) (registry code 1151528) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D6724
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward A. Decastro
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1987, 80 hours before
- Airport: FLX, Fallon, runway 3, 5,000 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,910 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 40 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 19880813032519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880813032519A), Aug 13, 1988: Beech N35, Fallon, NV, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry on the practice IFR go around. Landed in concrete dump off end of runway. Fuel selector detent worn.

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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