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NTSB Report

November 5, 2014 · Beech A35 NO Series · N149DS

Havasu City, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 5, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Havasu City, AZ
Aircraft
Beech A35 NO Series (1949)
Tail Number
N149DS
Operator
Buffaloe Thomas N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR15CA033

The pilot stated that he was level cruise at 10,500 feet mean sea level, when he moved the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank. The airplane was equipped with the Beech fuel selector valve disengagement warning light kit. The fuel selector is a combined fuel pump and valve assembly. The handle can be lifted up and down to pump fuel, but in this condition it is not engaged with the selector valve portion of the assembly. When the fuel selector handle and the fuel valve do not agree, the red 'fuel' light illuminates. When the pilot selected the left tank the red 'fuel' light illuminated. He cross checked the fuel flow and fuel pressure, both of which were in the normal range. A few minutes later he entered an en-route descent, when the engine began to lose power. He pumped the fuel pump, the red 'fuel' light remained ON, and the engine did not regain power. The pilot executed a forced landing onto a road and damaged the left wing during the landing roll. A post accident examination of the airplane was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a technical representative from the airplane manufacturer. The fuel selector valve was found to operate as designed. The red 'fuel' light illuminated when the fuel selector handle was not engaged with the valve and aligned with the fuel tank that provides fuel to the engine. Additionally, the engine was test run and found to operate normally.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to properly operate the fuel selector valve.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that he was level cruise at 10,500 feet mean sea level, when he moved the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank. The airplane was equipped with the Beech fuel selector valve disengagement warning light kit. The fuel selector is a combined fuel pump and valve assembly. The handle can be lifted up and down to pump fuel, but in this condition it is not engaged with the selector valve portion of the assembly. When the fuel selector handle and the fuel valve do not agree, the red 'fuel' light illuminates.When the pilot selected the left tank the red 'fuel' light illuminated. He cross checked the fuel flow and fuel pressure, both of which were in the normal range. A few minutes later he entered an en-route descent, when the engine began to lose power. He pumped the fuel pump, the red 'fuel' light remained ON, and the engine did not regain power. The pilot executed a forced landing onto a road and damaged the left wing during the landing roll. A post accident examination of the airplane was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a technical representative from the airplane manufacturer. The fuel selector valve was found to operate as designed. The red 'fuel' light illuminated when the fuel selector handle was not engaged with the valve and aligned with the fuel tank that provides fuel to the engine. Additionally, the engine was test run and found to operate normally.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:10 MST
Nearest AirportLake Havasu City (25nm E)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A35 NO Series
Tail NumberN149DS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBuffaloe Thomas N
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-185-11 · Reciprocating · 185
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point23 C
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time18:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data