# NTSB WPR20LA161: Beech 35, N8359D, Cascade Locks, OR, May 17, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 17, 2020, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Cascade Locks, OR · Water - Coordinates: 45.67361, -121.89055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6736&lon=-121.8906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviaiton Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101359 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101359/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101359 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA161 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel tank selection which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine and a loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech J35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management; cases with it: [Beech J35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/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: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech J35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Beech J35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151522), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed for the personal flight with the fuel selector valve set to the LEFT MAIN position. About 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot switched the fuel selector valve to the AUX TANK position and initiated a return to the departure airport. During the return flight, he decided to familiarize himself with a local airport. While on final approach, the pilot observed a person standing on the north side of the runway more than half-way down the runway. After overflying the person, the pilot advanced the throttle to full power and retracted the flaps. About 1-2 seconds after initiating a climb, the pilot noted a lack of acceleration and the engine volume decreased. He returned the airplane to level flight and switched the fuel selector from the AUX TANK position to the RIGHT fuel tank. The pilot looked for a suitable landing area and made sure that his throttle, mixture, and propeller levers were full forward. The pilot reported a rocky shoreline and with no other options, set up for a forced landing to the water. The airplane landed in the water near the shoreline, and the pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane without assistance and swam to shore. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the fuel selector was selected to the RIGHT TANK position. Additionally, printed on the fuel selector plate were the words “AUX TANK, LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY.” No evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation were noted with the airframe or engine. It is likely that the reason for the loss of engine power during the climb was a result of fuel starvation to the engine. The fuel pickup line in the auxiliary fuel tank is in the forward section of the fuel tank. When the airplane is in a climb attitude, it is possible the fuel in the auxiliary tank will shift aft of the fuel pickup line, which would starve the engine of fuel. As a result, pilots are cautioned to only use the auxiliary tank while in level flight, as printed on the fuel selector plate. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 2020, at 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Beechcraft BE-35 airplane, N8359D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cascade Locks, Oregon. The pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, after performing a thorough preflight and run up inspection, he and his passenger departed on a personal flight. The takeoff was normal, and the fuel selector valve was set to the LEFT MAIN position. About 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot switched the fuel selector valve to the AUX TANK position and shortly after initiated a return to the departure airport. During the return flight, he decided to familiarize himself with a local airport. The pilot announced his position on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and his intention to conduct a low approach to the runway. While on final approach, the pilot observed a person standing on the north side of the runway more than half-way down the runway. After overflying the person, the pilot advanced the throttle to full power and retracted the flaps. About 1-2 seconds after initiating a climb, the pilot noted a lack of acceleration and the engine volume decreased. He returned the airplane to level flight and switched the fuel selector from the AUX TANK position to the RIGHT TANK position. The pilot looked for a suitable landing area and made sure that his throttle, mixture, and propeller levers were full forward. The pilot reported a rocky shoreline and with no other options, set up for a forced landing to the water. The airplane landed in the water near the shoreline, and the pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane without assistance and swam to shore. The airplane was recovered from 20 ft of water less than a mile from the airport, and after recovery from the water, a postaccident examination was conducted. The spark plugs were removed from the engine; their electrodes were intact, and no indication of mechanical damage was observed. The engine was rotated at the propeller and valve train continuity and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. Both magnetos were removed; they were rotated, and spark was produced at all terminal leads. Examination of the fuel selector revealed it was selected to the RIGHT TANK position. Additionally, printed on the fuel selector plate were the words “AUX TANK, LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8359D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8359D-2021-07-22), registration cancelled 2021-07-22, S/N D-5490, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35 (J35) - Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-5490 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 3495 - Engines: Continental Aerospace Tech IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2019, 57 hours before - Departed: TTD, Portland, OR - Destination: CZK, Cascade Locks, OR - Airport: CZK, Cascade Locks State - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; military, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 15, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,020 total, 161 in this make and model, 2,537 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: KTTD, 23 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 20200517009849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200517009849A), May 17, 2020: Beech J35, Cascade Locks, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot departed the troutdale airport (ttd) at 11:15 for the purpose of a "pleasure flight". About 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot did a low approach to… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101359. 14.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14521161&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 339 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14520786&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20LA161%20Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Engine inspection report (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 328 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14520123&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Inspection-Rel.pdf - Excerpt aircraft logbook (item 4, PDF, 11 pages, 11.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14521171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20Aircraft%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Fuel receipt (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14520796&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fuel%20Receipt_Redacted-Rel.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.