Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

March 17, 1998 · Beech A35 · N8597A

Auburn, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 17, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Auburn, CA
Aircraft
Beech A35
Tail Number
N8597A
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX98FA119

The airplane's engine lost power during the initial climb after departure, and the pilot performed a 180-degree turn back towards the airport, but landed short of the runway. The airplane was equipped with a hand operated emergency fuel pump, which was part of the fuel selector valve. The emergency procedures section of the POH states that the emergency hand pump should be used to restore fuel pressure in the event of an engine driven pump failure. The pilot stated that he never attempted to use the emergency hand fuel pump. An on-scene examination revealed fuel in both main tanks. Examination of the engine driven Lear-Romec fuel pump coupling found it had sheared and separated. Internal examination of the pump revealed bluing of the steel pump vane tips and galling of the pump liner. According to the manufacturer, the pump at some time had been operated without fuel, which cools the vanes, and had overheated. Metallurgical examination of the failed fuel pump coupling revealed that it separated due to ductile torsional overstress at a designed location. According to records available, the pump had accumulated about 619 hours since overhaul with an unknown total time.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the engine driven fuel pump drive coupling and the pilot's failure to perform the emergency procedure specified in the Pilot Operating Handbook.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 17, 1998, about 1345 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech A35, N8597A, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb at Auburn, California. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which had originated at Byron, California, made a stop at Auburn, and was returning to Byron. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In an oral statement the pilot reported that during departure from runway 07 he lost engine power. He stated that he did not attempt to use the hand operated emergency fuel pump, and that he had just bought fuel at Auburn. He attempted a 180-degree turn back to the runway, extended the landing gear, but landed short of the runway. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The private pilot reported a total flight time of 330 hours at his December 5, 1997, third-class flight physical. He did not file a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, form 6120.1/2; however, numerous requests were made from the Safety Board. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to logbook information, the aircraft received an annual inspection on March 4, 1998. At the time of the on-scene examination of the aircraft, the recording tachometer indicated 5.1 hours had elapsed since the inspection. After arriving at Auburn the pilot purchased 12.1 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel, the amount used from Byron to Auburn. He stated that he would routinely keep the wing tip tanks empty and the mains full. The aircraft is equipped with a hand operated emergency fuel pump, which is part of the fuel selector valve. The emergency procedures section of the Pilot Operating Handbook for the Beech A35 states that the emergency hand pump should be used to restore fuel pressure in the event of an engine driven pump failure. TESTING AND RESEARCH The on-scene examination revealed that fuel was present in the main tanks. All fuel system screens were found to have varying degrees of contaminates. The Lear-Romec RD 7790 engine driven fuel pump splined drive coupling was found sheared and separated. The emergency locator beacon did not work, and the BNC antenna connector was found disconnected. Both muffler cones were missing. While unrelated to the fuel system or engine, other discrepancies were found with components that are part of the manufacturer's recommended annual inspection checklist. The fuel pump was taken to a Federal Aviation Administration approved repair station for functional testing with a substitute coupling. However, due to the rotational resistance, the substitute coupling was at risk for failure and the test was discontinued. The fuel pump was sent to the manufacturer in Elyria, Ohio, for examination and testing under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration. According to the manufacturer's report, severe heat related bluing was noted on the blade tips. Additionally, the pump liner exhibited scoring, gauling, and metal transfer to the pump liner, increasing the operational torque and binding. According to the manufacturer, engine fuel is the normal cooling source to prevent heat and subsequent failure due to rotational resistance and binding. The failed fuel pump coupling was sent to the Safety Board's Materials Laboratory for failure analysis. According to the report, the coupling separated due to ductile torsional overstress at a designed location. According to records available, the pump had accumulated about 619 hours since overhaul with an unknown total time.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 PST
Nearest AirportAuburn Muni (0nm)
Runway7
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A35
Tail NumberN8597A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-185-8 · Reciprocating · 185
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data