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

September 21, 2002 · Beech V35 · N9486S

Del Rio, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Del Rio, TX
Aircraft
Beech V35
Tail Number
N9486S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA261

According to the pilot, after taking off, just as the gear had cycled up, about 100 feet AGL, the "engine quit completely." He switched fuel tanks and turned on the boost pump, but it had no effect. He selected a field to land in and extended the landing gear and flaps. Examination of the airplane revealed that the low-pressure pump was deteriorated and came-apart internally. The pins that hold the fuel pump vanes in place in the drive wheel were broken and a quarter-inch piece of the tiny metal shafts flowed towards the engine and wedged in the mechanical engine-driven fuel pump vanes shearing the shaft at the "fail point."

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to the low-pressure pump separating internally. Contributing factors were the deterioration of the fuel pump and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 2002, at 1655 central daylight time, a Beech V35 airplane, N9486S, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence and a ditch during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff at the Del Rio International Airport, near Del Rio, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was 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 cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was destined for Scottsdale, Arizona. According to the pilot, he departed Brownsville, Texas, on Labor Day for Scottsdale with a planned refueling stop at Pecos, Texas. About 30 minutes past Del Rio, while in cruise flight at 10,500 feet msl, "the engine quit without warning." He immediately made a turn back to Del Rio, and then switched fuel tanks, cycled the boost pump, mixture control, etc., and set up a best glide speed of 105 knots. "After some fiddling [he] determined that the engine would produce some power using the aux pump on the high boost position resulting in a very low power setting." He continued to the Del Rio International Airport and landed the airplane without further incident. After conversations with a local aircraft mechanic, it was determined that the likely problem was the failure of the engine driven fuel pump. The mechanic removed the fuel pump, rebuilt it, and the same fuel pump was reinstalled on the engine. On the day of the accident, the 758-hour pilot completed a preflight during which the fuel was sumped. After the fuel tanks were topped-off, the pilot started the engine. He stated "that the start-up was a bit different from what [he] was used to, in that generally after the engine starts, if there is any stumbling or roughness, a quick pulse of the aux pump on low usually clears any vapor remaining in the fuel line. However, when [he] pulsed the aux pump on low this time, the engine almost died. Operating the engine at about 1,500 RPM for 5-10 seconds seem to cleared it up, and it seemed smooth and operating in a normal manner." The pilot reported that he taxied the airplane to runway 13 and completed a "normal" run up. After performing the before takeoff checks, he taxied the airplane onto the runway, held the brakes, and applied full throttle. "It took a few seconds for the engine to reach 32.5 inches of manifold pressure (takeoff power) as it usually does, and [he] observed the fuel flow to be not at, but very close to the red line pressure (where it is supposed to be). The fuel flow was in roughly the same position on the gauge as it has been in this airplane for many years, so [he] deemed that it was acceptable." At full power, he held the brakes for 30-40 seconds, "checked the cylinder heat-temperature and exhaust gas temperatures and fuel flow, everything was within normal limits" so he started the takeoff roll. About 50 feet agl, the pilot retracted the landing gear and established an 90 knot climb. "Just as the gear had cycled up, about 100 feet AGL, the engine quit completely." He switched fuel tanks and turned on the boost pump, but it had no effect. He selected a field to land in and extended the landing gear and flaps. The nose landing gear "clipped the airport fence, and [he] made a gentle left turn (about 20 degrees) to aim for the longest part of the field." The main landing gear touched down and he held the nose up as long as possible, but when it came down, it started skidding along the ground. The airplane came to a stop upright in a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed that the low-pressure pump was deteriorated and came apart internally. The pins that hold the fuel pump vanes in place in the drive wheel were broken and a quarter-inch piece of the tiny metal shafts flowed towards the engine and wedged in the mechanical engine-driven fuel pump vanes shearing the shaft at the "fail point."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:55 CDT
Nearest AirportDel Rio International (0nm)
Runway13
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech V35
Tail NumberN9486S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-D · Reciprocating · 285
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.80 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data