The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Louisville, Kentucky
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N2991B
Location: Vine Grove, KY
Accident Number: ERA16LA062
Date & Time: 12/04/2015, 1615 EST
Registration: N2991B
Aircraft: BEECH D35
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On December 4, 2015, at 1615 eastern standard time, a Beechcraft D35, N2991B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Vine Grove Airport (70KY), Vine Grove, Kentucky. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot reported that his intention was to conduct some "pattern work." He conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane; visually checked the fuel in the left and right fuel tanks and estimated that they each contained 15 gallons. The airplane was equipped with a 20-gallon auxiliary fuel tank but the pilot reported that its fuel quantity could not be checked visually.
The pilot started the engine, taxied to the run-up area, and performed the before takeoff checklist items, with no anomalies noted. He then taxied to the active runway and configured the airplane for takeoff. During the climbout, about 150 feet above ground level, the engine "quit." He did not have enough altitude to return to the airport, or time to attempt an engine restart or make any radio calls. He subsequently performed an emergency off-airport landing to a road.
Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right wing and firewall were buckled. The left main wing fuel tank had an undetermined amount of fuel. Fuel samples were taken from the left main wing tank and the fuselage auxiliary tank. The samples appeared to be clear with no water or debris noted. The right wing fuel tank was breached and the fuel quick drain valve was jammed. The smell of fuel in and around the airplane was noted. The fuel selector was moved from the off position and back to the auxiliary position, and when the fuel supply line was removed from the carburetor, very little fuel exited.
The fuel strainer was removed and a very small amount of fuel came out; it was inspected and found to be free of debris. The auxiliary fuel tank drain valve was removed and about 1 gallon of fuel drained out.
A review of the D35 pilot's operating handbook (POH) revealed that the airplane was equipped with a 20-gallon fuel tank in each wing in which 34 gallons are usable. All of the fuel in the auxiliary tank was usable. The top spark plugs were removed and they exhibited normal wear and had light gray deposits in the electrode areas. The crankshaft was rotated by hand, and spark was noted on each spark plug lead.
After the examination of the airplane, the pilot reported, "The D-35 has only one fuel gage and two switches used to select the tank indicated. The fuel selector has four positions, left, right, auxiliary and off. You can have the fuel selector on the auxiliary tank and the fuel indicator on a different tank. It is possible that I mistakenly verified the fuel level in the auxiliary tank with the indicator set to one of the main tanks." The pilot stated that he did not remember which fuel tank he had selected before takeoff.
According to the limitations section of the D35 POH: "Use auxiliary fuel in level flight only and do not use for takeoff or landing. Use at least 10 gallons from left main tank before use of auxiliary fuel or right main tank."
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 53, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/03/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/04/2015
Flight Time: 956 hours (Total, all aircraft), 18 hours (Total, this make and model), 793 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 18 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Registration: N2991B
Model/Series: D35 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: D-3629
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/02/2015, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2727 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 18 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6830.48 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: E 225-8
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 225
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: FTK, 755 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1608 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 357°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Unknown
Visibility: 4 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 5500 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 350°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 15°C / 14°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Rain; Moderate - Mist
Departure Point: Vine Grove, KY (70KY)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Vine Grove, KY (70KY)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1614 EST
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: VINE GROVE (70KY)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 680 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 37.815833, -85.964722 (est)
Thank god for the simpler fuel systems in the newer models
ReplyDeleteSad ending to such an iconic plane. Fuselage is buckled behind the rear seat. Glad the pilot landed straight ahead and walked away, just hope he wasn't the cause.
ReplyDelete