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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 28, 2008 · Beech F33A · N3133W

San Diego, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 28, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Beech F33A
Tail Number
N3133W
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08LA088

The pilot stated that she had leaned the mixture during cruise flight; however, she did not adjust the mixture setting prior to initiating an approach to landing. While on final approach to the runway, the engine lost power. The pilot advanced the throttle with no change in engine performance. The airplane landed hard in an open area just short of the approach end of the runway and impacted a ditch during the landing roll. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the firewall sustained substantial damage. The engine remained attached to the airframe by all its mounts. The engine was started and ran normally through various power settings. No anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe. The Pilot's Operating Handbook normal procedures state to enrich the mixture as required for descent and before landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper use of the mixture control.

Full Narrative

On March 28, 2008, about 1615 Pacific daylight time, a Beech F33A single-engine airplane, N3133W, landed short of the runway following a loss of engine power during final approach to landing at the Montgomery Field Airport (MYF), San Diego, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The personal flight originated from Ramona, California, about 1600. The pilot reported that during an uneventful flight, she had leaned the fuel mixture. She stated that she was cleared to land on runway 28L and proceeded to slow the airplane to 120 knots and extend the landing gear. About 2 miles from the runway on final approach, she heard a "slight whirl noise" followed by the engine losing power. She applied full throttle with no change in engine performance. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard in an open area about 250 feet short of the approach end of the runway and struck a ditch during the landing roll. The pilot reported to investigators she did not change the mixture setting during her approach to MYF. She added that from the time the engine lost power to the time the airplane impacted the ground was about 30 seconds. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the firewall sustained substantial damage. The engine remained attached to the airframe by all its mounts. The engine was started and ran normally through various power settings. No anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe. The Beechcraft Bonanza F33A Pilot's Operating Handbook normal procedures state to enrich the mixture as required for descent and before landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 PDT
Nearest AirportMontgomery Field (0nm)
Runway28L
Runway Length3401 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech F33A
Tail NumberN3133W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 7 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 12 C
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data