# NTSB SEA98LA004: Beech V-35, N5482U, Medford, OR, October 18, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1997, 17:45 local (Oct 18, 1997, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Medford, OR
- Coordinates: 42.279537, -122.900192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2795&lon=-122.9002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA004

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing

## Analysis

Prior to the crash, the pilot had requested priority handling inbound to Medford with minimum fuel.  The airplane was unable to reach the airport, and crashed one mile southeast of runway 34.  An on-scene investigation the day after the accident found no indication of postcrash fire, no indication of fuel on board the airplane, and no evidence of mechanical malfunction.  Fire department personnel advised the FAA inspectors that there had been no evidence or odor of fuel at the accident scene.

## Factual narrative

On October 17, 1997, approximately 1745 Pacific daylight time, N5482U, a Beech V-35, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near the Medford, Oregon, airport.  The pilot, the sole person on board, was seriously injured.  The flight had initiated at John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California.  There was no flight plan filed for the flight, and no report of the ELT actuating.

The pilot had requested priority handling inbound to Medford with minimum fuel.  The airplane was unable to reach the airport, and crashed one mile southeast of runway 34 at 1745.  FAA inspectors conducted an on-scene investigation the day after the accident.  They reported finding no indication of post-crash fire, no indication of fuel on board the airplane, and no evidence of mechanical malfunction.  Fire department personnel advised the FAA inspectors that there had been no evidence or odor of fuel at the accident scene.

The pilot did not return an NTSB 6120 1/2 report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5482U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5482U-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N D-8551, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech V-35
- Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (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-8551
- Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert R. Francis
- Registered owner: Richard Morales
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 367 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19971018031409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971018031409A), Oct 18, 1997: Beech V35, Medford, OR, Substantial damage. Requested priority due low fuel. Crashed short of runway. No fuel on board.

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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