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NTSB Report

October 2, 2001 · Beech M35 · N9765R

Denton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Denton, TX
Aircraft
Beech M35
Tail Number
N9765R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA001

The flight departed and flew 10 minutes to another airport. The pilot executed a full stop landing and decided to remain in the pattern and perform touch-and-go landings. He departed, flew one traffic pattern, landed and departed again. During the initial takeoff climb, the engine began to "surge and lose power." Subsequently, a forced landing was executed to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane contacted fence posts, both wings separated, and the airplane came to a stop upright. A review of the airplane's maintenance records did not reveal any open maintenance discrepancies. An examination of the engine and a successful full engine test run did not reveal the reason for the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On October 2, 2001, at 1820 central daylight time, a Beech M35 airplane, N9765R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb from the Denton Municipal Airport, Denton, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The airline transport rated pilot and his pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Northwest Regional Airport, Roanoke, Texas, approximately 1810. According to the pilot and passenger, they flew to Denton from Roanoke (a 10 minute flight) and made a full stop landing. The pilot decided to remain at Denton and perform touch-and-go landings. He departed, flew one traffic pattern, landed and departed again. During the initial takeoff climb from runway 17, the engine began to "surge and lose power." Subsequently, a forced landing was executed to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane contacted fence posts, both wings separated, and the airplane came to a stop upright. The pilot added that the fuel selector was in the right tank position from the time the airplane departed Roanoke until the time of the accident. An FAA inspector, who examined the airplane at the accident site, reported that fuel was present in each of the airplane's four fuel tanks. A fuel sample was clear and free of contaminants. He added that the oil dipstick indicated 7 quarts. On October 30, 2001, the Teledyne Continental IO-470-C (1) engine was examined and run in the airframe, under supervision of the NTSB Investigator-in-charge, at Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas. The air intake hoses were checked and observed to be free of obstructions. The cockpit fuel selector was set to the left tank position and the left fuel tank was simulated with fuel that had been drained from the left main fuel tank at the accident site. The engine was started and run for a total of 20 minutes at 1000, 1500, 1800, 2550 rpms. The oil pressure, oil temperature, cylinder head temperature, and fuel pressure gauges were monitored at each rpm setting, and remained within their normal operating ranges. A magneto check was performed at 1800 rpm and a 50 rpm drop was noted for the left and right magnetos. The propeller was cycled at each rpm setting and no anomalies were noted. Red fibrous debris was observed at the main fuel screen; however, it did not completely obstruct the screen. The airplane's maintenance logbooks were reviewed. On June 22, 2001, the airframe, engine and propeller underwent their most recent annual inspections. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated a total of 4,212.2 hours and the engine had accumulated a total of 1,587.0 hours since major overhaul. No reports of open maintenance discrepancies were found.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 CDT
Nearest AirportDenton Municipal (1nm S)
Runway17
Runway Length5999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech M35
Tail NumberN9765R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · IO-470-C (1) · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data