Sunday, August 04, 2019

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Beech J35 Bonanza, N533JW; accident occurred August 04, 2018 near Starke County Airport (KOXI), Knox, Indiana

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Plaines, Illinois
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 

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/N533JW

Location: Knox, IN
Accident Number: CEN18LA319
Date & Time: 08/04/2018, 1500 CDT
Registration: N533JW
Aircraft: Beech 35
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 4, 2018, about 1500 central daylight time, a Beech 35 airplane, N533JW, impacted terrain after a loss of engine power during an approach to the Starke County Airport (OXI), Knox, Indiana. The pilot and three passengers were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight originated from Lacon, Illinois, about 1400.

The pilot reported he leveled off at 5,500 ft for the cross-country flight, and selected the left main fuel tank, which indicated just under ½ tank. About 10 miles from the destination airport, he switched to the fullest fuel tank. He then entered the traffic pattern and reduced the throttle to slow the airplane. While on final approach, to arrest a decent, he advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot turned the boost pump on to "emergency – high" and the engine still did not respond. The pilot then reduced the throttle to idle and slowly advanced the throttle, again the engine did not respond, so he turned the boost pump off and prepared for the forced landing.

The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found the airplane had impacted a cornfield and terrain just short of the runway. The airplane's engine was bent downward from the firewall and fuselage sustained substantial damage during the accident. The inspector opened the fuel tanks, and noted fuel was available at various levels. The inspector also disconnected the lines near the fuel manifold, and fuel was present in the lines.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility and examined by a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator and a technical representative from the engine manufacturer.

Data from the airplane's engine monitor was downloaded. A review of the data found for August 4th, found 3 files. The first file contained information for a 1.85 hr flight, starting at 1810 UTC. The data block field for fuel used started with 0.0 and ended with 19.1 gallons used. The second file indicated the engine monitor was powered on for just over a minute. The third file, started at 2108 UTC and was for 0.94 hr. The last file corresponded to the accident flight, and the monitor indicated 30.4 gallons used. The pilot reported his fuel at last takeoff was 33 gallons.

During the examination, the propeller shaft was rotated by hand and drivetrain continuity was confirmed through the valve train, and to the accessory section of the engine. Suction and compression were noted on all cylinders. No anomalies were found that would have prevented the engine from producing rated horsepower.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 62
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
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: 12/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 512 hours (Total, all aircraft), 31 hours (Total, this make and model), 497 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 32 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 24 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N533JW
Model/Series: 35 J35
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1958
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: D-5696
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/29/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5368 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: Continential
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-470
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 250
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: KMHE, 683 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1953 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 328°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: 
Altimeter Setting: 29.78 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 20°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lacon, IL (C75)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Knox, IN (OXI)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1400 CDT
Type of Airspace:  

Airport Information

Airport: Starke County Airport (OXI)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 685 ft
Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4401 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 3 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.290000, -86.630556

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