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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 5, 1997 · Beech V35B · N9236Q

Tullahoma, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Tullahoma, TN
Aircraft
Beech V35B
Tail Number
N9236Q
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA97LA227

While on final approach the airplane's engine lost power about 100 yards short of the runway and impacted with trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that both fuel tanks were breached, and fuel was not observed in either tank. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position. The pilot he realized he had 'error[ed]' and had not switched to the full fuel tank. He switched tanks, but he said 'the engine did not fire.' The airplane was 'low and slow,' but the pilot thought he could still make the runway. The airplane struck the top of a tree and fell to the ground. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, '...this accident could have been avoided by following 'GUMP' [gas-under carriage-mixture-prop] to the letter.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper procedure by not placing the fuel selector on the tank with the most fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation, a forced landing, and impact with a tree.

Full Narrative

On August 5, 1997, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Beech V35B, N9236Q, registered to a private owner, crashed while on approach near Tullahoma, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries, and one passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight had originated from Elkhart, Indiana, at 0945. The pilot stated that after entering the airport traffic pattern for landing on runway 36, he went through the landing procedures, but said "[for] some unknown reason I still did not switch [fuel] tanks." He turned the airplane onto final approach, lowered the landing gear, selected 10 degrees of flaps, and was at a speed of "90 miles per hour." He further stated, "...about 100 yards from touch down...the engine cut out. I realized my error and switched to the full [fuel] tank, but the engine did not fire." The airplane was "low and slow," but the pilot thought he could still make the runway. The airplane struck the top of a tree and fell to the ground. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, "...this accident could have been avoided by following 'GUMP' [gas-under carriage-mixture-prop] to the letter." Examination of the wreckage revealed that both fuel tanks were breached, and fuel was not observed in either tank. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest AirportTullahoma (1nm S)
Runway36
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech V35B
Tail NumberN9236Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520B · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data