# NTSB WPR15LA139: Beech H35, N112F, Tucson, AZ, March 30, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 2015, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.113334, -110.939163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1133&lon=-110.9392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 21, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Continental Motors, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 90961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90961/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90961 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA139 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical anomaly that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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 H35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech H35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech H35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech H35, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151520), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after takeoff, the engine started to "sputter." He adjusted the fuel mixture control lever but noticed no change in engine performance. He determined that insufficient runway was available to land, so he initiated a forced landing into desert terrain. During the landing roll, the airplane struck vegetation and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane, engine, and propeller revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the partial loss of power could not be determined. Review of the airplane manufacturer's climb performance chart revealed that, at the time of the accident, the weather and environmental conditions were within the airplane's takeoff performance limitations. ## Factual narrative The four-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear airplane, serial number (S/N) D-5200, was powered by a Continental Motors IO-470-N14B engine, S/N 096504, rated at 260 horse power. It was equipped with a Beechcraft Bonanza P/N 278-100 two bladed, constant speed propeller. Review of the airplane maintenance logbook revealed that the most recent annual inspection was completed on January 2, 2015, at the tachometer time of 1,903.8, and the total time of 2,026.18. The pilot stated that the maximum gross weight for the airplane was 2,900 pounds, and that the weight at the time of the accident was 2,700. However, the weight and balance revision in the flight manual supplement for N112F, dated December 11, 1975, indicated that the maximum gross weight for the airplane was 3,100 pounds. Using the empty weight of an airplane as determined by the weight and balance revision, the weight of the occupants, fuel, and baggage, the NTSB investigator-in-charge calculated that the gross weight at the time of departure was about 2,919 pounds. Using the manufacturer's Climb Performance chart, located in the Pilot's Operating Handbook, reported weather conditions and gross weight of the airplane at takeoff, the climb performance was calculated to be about 980 feet per minute. On March 30, 2015, about 1115 mountain standard time, a Beech H35, N112F was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at Tucson International Airport (TUS), Tucson, Arizona. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and empennage. The airplane was registered to Skyler Aviation, and operated by the pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The cross-country flight was originating at the time. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that prior to the flight he conducted a preflight check of the airplane, and noticed no abnormalities with the airplane. He taxied to runway 8 right, and proceeded to conduct his pre-takeoff check list, which included cycling the propeller and conducting an engine run up at 2,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). In addition, the pilot leaned the mixture until the engine hesitated, and advanced the mixture to maximize the cylinder head temperature. The pilot stated that during takeoff roll the airplane accelerated normally, and briefly became airborne at 80 knots. He said that he decided to keep the airplane on the ground until it was clear of the displaced threshold, and lifted off again. As the airplane ascended through about 50 feet above ground level, the engine "began sputtering." The pilot leaned and enriched the mixture, however, noticed no change in engine performance. He further stated that there was not enough runway left to land and heinitiated a forced landing to an area of rough desert terrain. During the landing roll, the airplane struck vegetation and sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N112F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N112F-2018-03-09), registration cancelled 2018-03-09, S/N D-5200, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH H35 - Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-5200 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 5910.1 - Engines: Continental IO-470N1B 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2015 - Departed: TUS, Tucson, AZ - Destination: TUS, Tucson, AZ - Airport: TUS, Tucson Intl, runway 11R, 8,408 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 7,580 total, 10 in this make and model, 5,900 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KTUS, 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 20150330005229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150330005229A), Mar 30, 2015: Beech H35, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Possible fuel contamination. ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90961. 11.6 MB in all. - NTSB Specialist's Factual Report - Engine Data Monitor (item 1, .PDF, 233 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434894&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Engine%20Data%20Monitor-Master.PDF - NTSB Specialist's Factual Report Attachment - Engine Data Monitor raw data (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434895&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20Attachment%20%20-%20Engine%20Data%20Monitor%20raw%20data-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 3, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434896&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement to FAA (item 4, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434897&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Master.PDF - Continental Motors Engine Examination Report (item 5, .PDF, 6.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continental%20Motors%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434899&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434900&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (item 8, .PDF, 370 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Flight%20Manual%20Supplement-Master.PDF - N112F Weight and Balance (item 9, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434902&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=N112F%20Weight%20and%20Balance-Master.PDF - Photographs (item 10, .PDF, 583 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434903&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-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.