# NTSB WPR11FA192: Beech 35-B33, N460SR, Camarillo, CA, April 9, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 2011, 13:24 local (20:24 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.213611, -119.094169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2136&lon=-119.0942&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 78817 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11FA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78817/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78817 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA192 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during the landing approach 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); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that, following an uneventful flight, the student pilot configured the airplane for landing with full flaps and the landing gear extended. When the student pilot attempted to stop the descent and level off by adding power, he noticed that the engine had lost power. The CFI took control of the airplane and began troubleshooting. The CFI’s attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and he initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. However, due to the gusting wind that induced a high descent rate, the airplane landed short of the field on the flat roof of a storage facility, and a postcrash fire ensued. During postaccident interviews, the CFI reported that, during the flight, the student pilot switched fuel tanks multiple times, but he could not recall how many times or which fuel tank was selected. Examination of the recovered airframe revealed that the fuselage, inboard portion of the right wing, and the entire left wing were fire damaged. All the fuel tanks were compromised during the impact sequence. Examination of the recovered fuel injected engine revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined. ## Factual narrative On April 9, 2011, about 1324 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 35-B33, N460SR, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while on approach to landing at the Camarillo Airport (CMA), Camarillo, California. The airplane was registered to Serrano Ministries, Corona, California, and operated by the student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The student pilot, certified flight instructor (CFI), and one of the two passengers sustained minor injuries. One passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from Chino, California, at 1230, with an intended destination of CMA. The CFI reported in a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that following an uneventful flight, the flight descended and the student pilot configured the airplane for landing with full flaps and the landing gear extended. As the airplane descended to an altitude of about 2,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the student pilot attempted to level off by adding power but noticed no response from the airplane and that the engine had lost power. The CFI took control of the airplane and began troubleshooting the loss of engine power. Despite attempts to restart the engine, the CFI was unsuccessful and initiated a forced landing to a nearby field, which was precluded by gusty winds and a high descent rate. The CFI stated that he conducted a "controlled landing" on a flat roof of a storage facility about 1.23 miles east of runway 26, where a post crash fire ensued approximately 5 minutes later. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC, the CFI reported that prior to the flight he observed three-quarters tank of fuel was in both the left and right main fuel tanks and that the wingtip tanks were both full. The CFI added that during the flight, the student pilot did switch fuel tanks, but could not recall how many times or which tank was selected. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that most of the airframe and two storage units were consumed by fire. All major structural components of the airplane were present at the accident site. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. Examination of the recovered IO-470-K (3) fuel injected engine, serial number 86342, revealed that it exhibited severe thermal and fire damage. All cylinders remained attached to the engine crankcase and all engine accessories remained attached to their respective mounts. The engine driven fuel pump was removed from the engine along with the top spark plugs, magnetos, vacuum pump, and rocker box covers. The engine crankshaft was manually rotated using a hand tool attached to an accessory drive mount pad. Rotational continuity was established throughout theengine and valve train. Thumb compression and suction was obtained on all six cylinders. The propeller assembly remained attached to the crankshaft propeller flange and had impact damage. The blades were bent and had leading edge gouging and chord-wise scratches. No mechanical anomalies were noted during the examination of the recovered engine that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the recovered airframe revealed that the fuselage and inboard portion of the right wing and entire left wing were fire damaged. A majority of the fuel lines for all four fuel tanks were consumed. In addition, all four fuel tanks appeared to be compromised. The fuel selector valve was found in the left main fuel tank position. No mechanical anomalies were noted during the examination of the recovered airframe that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N460SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N460SR-2017-10-06), registration cancelled 2017-10-06, S/N CD-761, built 1964 (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-761 - Airframe hours: 5174 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470-U 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Andres Serrano - Registered owner: Serrano Ministries - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 2010 - Departed: KCNO, Chino, CA - Destination: KCMA, Camarillo, CA - Airport: KCMA, Camarillo Airport, runway 26, 6,013 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 33 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 39; injuries: minor; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 2,810 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,260 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KCMA, 1 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 20110409010049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110409010049A), Apr 9, 2011: Beech 35-B33, Camarillo, CA, Destroyed. N460SR was on a 1.25NM final to rwy 26 when the aircraft lost power. The instructor pilot assumed control and told the student to change fuel tanks. The… ## Other investigations on N460SR (3) 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. - [NTSB FTW75FRD14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75FRD14), Oct 27, 1974: Beech 35-B33 (N460SR), Belle Chasse, LA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X4164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X4164), Sep 26, 1964: Beechcraft 35B33 (N460SR), Burmuda Dunes, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X3070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3070), Jul 27, 1964: Beechcraft B33 (N460SR), Nutrioso, AZ, substantial damage ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78817. 9.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Flight Instructor (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Flight%20Instructor-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Student Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Student%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Flight Instructor (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361871&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Flight%20Instructor-Master.PDF - Summary of Engine and Airframe Wreckage Examination (item 4, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361872&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Engine%20and%20Airframe%20Wreckage%20Examination-Master.PDF - Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Continental Motors (49 Embedded Photos) (item 5, .PDF, 49 photos, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20-%20Continental%20Motors%20(49%20Embedded%20Photos)-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Teledyne Continental Motors (item 6, .PDF, 453 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation%20-%20Teledyne%20Continental%20Motors-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: View of the aircraft following the accident. Courtesy of the storage facility management. (item 8, .PDF, 609 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20the%20aircraft%20following%20the%20accident.%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20storage%20facility%20management.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: View of the aircraft following the accident. Courtesy of the storage facility management. (item 9, .PDF, 630 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20View%20of%20the%20aircraft%20following%20the%20accident.%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20storage%20facility%20management.-Master.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.