# NTSB WPR09LA355: Beech 35-B33, N9772Y, Truckee, CA, July 18, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2009, 19:45 local (Jul 18, 2009, 02:45 UTC) - Place: Truckee, CA - Coordinates: 39.319999, -120.139442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3200&lon=-120.1394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74321 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA355 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74321/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74321 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA355 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment ## Analysis The pilot performed a preflight inspection, which included visually checking the fuel and oil levels. After starting the engine, all related instruments were in the normal operating range. The pilot then set up for a high-altitude takeoff, which included leaning the fuel mixture. He reported that the rotation was normal; however, at 400 feet above ground level (agl), the engine began to backfire and run rough. He enriched the mixture and engaged the auxiliary fuel pump with no change in engine operation. The stall warning horn sounded, so he lowered the nose and leveled the wings. The pilot stated that he thought he was at 300 feet agl when he began to look for a suitable landing area. He left the landing gear in the retracted position and held the airplane in a nose-high attitude until it impacted the ground. The airplane slid about 40 yards before it pivoted to the right and came to a stop. During the postaccident inspection, the engine was started and ran with no abnormalities noted. Additional testing of the fuel and ignition system components were accomplished. All components functioned on the manufacturer's test stands within specifications with no abnormalities detected. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2009, about 1945 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 35-B33, N9772Y, experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb out and the pilot made a forced landing in the Martis Valley Wildlife area west of Highway 267 just south of Truckee, California. The pilot/owner, the sole occupant, operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage belly keel beam. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from the Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK), Truckee, about 1940. It was destined for the Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI), Watsonville, California. According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection, which included visually checking the fuel and oil levels. After start-up, all engine instruments were in the normal operating range. A high altitude takeoff was initiated, which included leaning the mixture. Rotation was normal; however, at 400 feet above ground level (agl), the engine began to backfire and run rough. The pilot stated that he enrichened the mixture, and engaged the auxiliary fuel pump, but the engine lost power, so he turned off the auxiliary fuel pump. The pilot reported that the stall warning horn sounded so he lowered the nose and leveled the wings. He stated that he thought he was at 300 feet agl when he began to look for a suitable landing area. He left the landing gear in the retracted position, and held the airplane in a nose high attitude until it impacted the ground about 55 miles per hour (mph). The airplane slid about 40 yards before it pivoted to the right and came to a stop. In a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the engine had recently been overhauled at the Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) facility, and had about 20 hours of time in service since it was installed on the airframe. Investigators from the NTSB and TCM, along with an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), completed an examination of the engine at Truckee. There were no mechanical problems with the engine run. Various components were removed for additional testing. TCM personnel examined and completed functional tests of the following components at the factory in Mobile, Alabama, under the supervision of the FAA. A detailed report is in the public docket. All components functioned within specifications with no abnormalities detected. The link rod and levers of the throttle and fuel control assembly were intact and undamaged. TCM personnel removed the finger screen and observed no contamination. The unit was flow tested on the TCM test bench, and it functioned properly through its full range of operation. The fuel pump turned freely, and there were no abnormalities present. The pump was flow tested on the TCM testbench, and functioned properly through its full range of operation. The fuel manifold valve exhibited normal operating signatures. The fuel lines, nozzles, and manifold valve assembly were flow tested on the TCM test bench, and functioned properly through their full range of operation. There was no leakage observed from the cover vent port. The fuel nozzles were unrestricted and exhibited normal operating signatures. The fuel lines were intact and undamaged. The sparkplugs displayed normal wear signatures in accordance with the Champion aviation check-a-plug comparison chart. The left-hand magneto turned freely with impulse coupling engagement. The magneto was installed and tested on the test bench; it produced a blue spark across a 7 millimeter (mm) gap through the full range of test bench rpm. The right-hand magneto turned freely with impulse coupling engagement. The magneto was installed and tested on the test bench; it produced a blue spark across a 7 mm gap through the full range of test bench rpm. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9772Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9772Y-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N CD-686, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 35-B33 - Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD-686 - Airframe hours: 6472 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors IO-470-111B 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael Seely - Registered owner: Michael Seely - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2008, 20 hours before - Departed: TRK, Truckee, CA - Destination: WVI, Watsonville, CA - Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 30, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,403 total, 824 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 20 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 20090717024159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090717024159A), Jul 17, 2009: Beech 35B33, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection visually checking the fuel level, and oil levels. After start-up all engine instruments were "in… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74321. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 587 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Teledyne Continental Motors Component Analysis Report (item 2, .PDF, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Teledyne%20Continental%20Motors%20Component%20Analysis%20Report-Master.PDF - Excerpt Logbook (item 3, .PDF, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 250 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346840&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF 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.