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NTSB Report
March 15, 1985 · Beech H35 · N5539D
Scottsdale, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 15, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
Aircraft
Beech H35
Tail Number
N5539D
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA173
THE PLT & PAX DEPARTED PHOENIX SKY HARBOR ON A SALES DEMO FLT & LANDED NEARBY AT FALCON FLD. DURING THE RETURN FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER AS THE PLT BEGAN DESCENDING FROM 3800'. HE NOTED THERE WAS NO FUEL FLOW, SO HE USED THE WOBBLE PUMP. THE PLT SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN FUEL PRESSURE, SO HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. HOWEVER, HE WAS STILL UNABLE TO GET FUEL PRESSURE. THE PLT STATED HE 'TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART, SWITCHING TANKS, PUMPING THE WOBBLE PUMP, WITH THE MIXTURE RICH, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE.' SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE A WHEELS-UP LANDING IN A COTTON FLD, BUT THE ACFT HIT AN IRRIGATION DITCH DURING THE LANDING. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONEDTO THE R MAIN TANK WHICH HAD ONLY A TRACE OF FUEL REMAINING. SOME FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE L MAIN & AUX TANKS. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL INDICATOR SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK POSITION. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.
Full Narrative
THE PLT & PAX DEPARTED PHOENIX SKY HARBOR ON A SALES DEMO FLT & LANDED NEARBY AT FALCON FLD. DURING THE RETURN FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER AS THE PLT BEGAN DESCENDING FROM 3800'. HE NOTED THERE WAS NO FUEL FLOW, SO HE USED THE WOBBLE PUMP. THE PLT SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN FUEL PRESSURE, SO HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. HOWEVER, HE WAS STILL UNABLE TO GET FUEL PRESSURE. THE PLT STATED HE 'TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART, SWITCHING TANKS, PUMPING THE WOBBLE PUMP, WITH THE MIXTURE RICH, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE.' SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE A WHEELS-UP LANDING IN A COTTON FLD, BUT THE ACFT HIT AN IRRIGATION DITCH DURING THE LANDING. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONEDTO THE R MAIN TANK WHICH HAD ONLY A TRACE OF FUEL REMAINING. SOME FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE L MAIN & AUX TANKS. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL INDICATOR SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK POSITION. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:12 MST
Nearest AirportScottsdale Muni (8nm WNW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech H35
Tail NumberN5539D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-G · Reciprocating · 240
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 3 kt
Visibility45 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:46
Weather SourceWFAC