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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

April 18, 1998 · Beech M35 · N9703R

North Las Vegas, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1998
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
North Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft
Beech M35
Tail Number
N9703R
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX98LA136

While on approach to the destination airport from a cross-country flight, the tower instructed the pilot to turn left to a downwind for landing. After completing the left turn the engine quit about pattern altitude. The pilot reported that he switched tanks several times in an unsuccessful attempt to get a restart. The fuel selector was found in the auxiliary fuel tank position. Recovery personnel removed about 18 gallons of fuel from the right fuel tanks, 2 gallons from the auxiliary and 16 from the right main tank. The left fuel tanks were ruptured. The estimated flight time from departure to North Las Vegas is 1.5 hours, and according to the engine manufacturer, the estimated fuel consumption at 75 percent power would be 24.375 gallons for that time.

NTSB Probable Cause

fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper fuel management and his failure to select the fullest tank for landing.

Full Narrative

On April 18, 1998, at 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech M35, N9703R, was substantially damaged after a total loss of engine power while on a 3/4 mile final approach to runway 07 at the North Las Vegas, Nevada, airport. The pilot force landed into a residential area, resulting in minor damage to two homes. The pilot and passenger both received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot had obtained a preflight weather briefing prior to departing Hawthorne, California, about 0930. The pilot reported that he had just completed a requested left turn to the downwind when the engine quit. He said that he turned towards the airport and attempted a restart, changing the fuel selector several times. The on-scene Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the fuel selector was found in the auxiliary fuel tank position. According to recovery personnel, about 18 gallons of fuel was removed from the right fuel tanks, 2 gallons from the auxiliary and 16 from the right main tank. The left fuel tanks were ruptured. The standard M35 fuel system consists of two 25-gallon main tanks, with 22 usable in each tank, and two 10-gallon interconnected auxiliary tanks, with 19.5 usable in each tank. The system has an electric fuel boost pump as standard equipment. The flight from Hawthorne to North Las Vegas, according to the Los Angeles sectional aeronautical chart and Beech performance data, was estimated to be a 1.5-hour flight. According to the engine manufacturer, Continental Motors, the estimated fuel consumption at 75 percent power would be 24.375 gallons for that time. After repeated requests, the pilot has not returned the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 PDT
Nearest AirportNorth Las Vegas (2nm)
Runway7
Runway Length5005 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech M35
Tail NumberN9703R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-C · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:59
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data