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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

October 15, 1988 · Beech 58 · N31135

Garfield, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Garfield, CO
Aircraft
Beech 58
Tail Number
N31135
Operator
Rangeflyers
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN89LA014

N31135 WAS BEING FERRIED TO JAPAN FROM WICHITA WITH AN ENROUTE STOP IN OAKLAND, CA. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH CABIN MOUNTED FERRY TANKS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED FROM THE ACFT FUEL TANKS TO THE FERRY TANK AND ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER THE RIGHT ENG QUIT. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE ENG FAILURE AS IF 'SELECTING IDLE CUTOFF ON THE MIXTURE LEVER.' THE PLT HAD NOT YET PERFORMED THE ENG OUT PROCEDURES AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS WITH UNSUCCESSFUL RESULTS, WHEN THE RT ENG 'SUDDENLY CONTINUED TO RUN AGAIN NORMALLY.' THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PASSING THROUGH 13,000FT MSL IN A CLIMB WHEN THE ENG QUIT. HE SAID HE LOST A FEW THOUSAND FT DURING THE ENG OUT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN MONARCH PASS AT 11,300 FT WITH BOTH ENGINES OPERATING. POST CRASH EXAM DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT HAD FLOWN OVER TWO AIRPORTS DURING THE ENG OUT. THE TERRAIN ELEVATION OF THE AREA TO THE EAST OF THE ACC SITE WAS HALF THAT OF THE PASS. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED AT A GROSS WEIGHT THAT WAS ABOUT 1,000 LBS OVER THE NORMAL MAX GROSS WEIGHT.

Full Narrative

N31135 WAS BEING FERRIED TO JAPAN FROM WICHITA WITH AN ENROUTE STOP IN OAKLAND, CA. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH CABIN MOUNTED FERRY TANKS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED FROM THE ACFT FUEL TANKS TO THE FERRY TANK AND ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER THE RIGHT ENG QUIT. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE ENG FAILURE AS IF 'SELECTING IDLE CUTOFF ON THE MIXTURE LEVER.' THE PLT HAD NOT YET PERFORMED THE ENG OUT PROCEDURES AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS WITH UNSUCCESSFUL RESULTS, WHEN THE RT ENG 'SUDDENLY CONTINUED TO RUN AGAIN NORMALLY.' THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PASSING THROUGH 13,000FT MSL IN A CLIMB WHEN THE ENG QUIT. HE SAID HE LOST A FEW THOUSAND FT DURING THE ENG OUT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN MONARCH PASS AT 11,300 FT WITH BOTH ENGINES OPERATING. POST CRASH EXAM DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT HAD FLOWN OVER TWO AIRPORTS DURING THE ENG OUT. THE TERRAIN ELEVATION OF THE AREA TO THE EAST OF THE ACC SITE WAS HALF THAT OF THE PASS. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED AT A GROSS WEIGHT THAT WAS ABOUT 1,000 LBS OVER THE NORMAL MAX GROSS WEIGHT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 58
Tail NumberN31135
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRangeflyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-C · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data