Beechcraft B35 N5005C

Summary

On 24 October 1993 at about 18:40 local time, a Beechcraft B35 registered N5005C was involved in an accident near Indian Springs, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 October 1993 at 18:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Indian Springs, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Indian Springs Afaf (INS)

Coordinates

36.5108, -115.6404

Aircraft

Beechcraft B35

Registration

N5005C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Vegas → Bishop

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX94LA022

2 people had minor injuries.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY OPERATE THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SELECTOR, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, AND HIS IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOR RESTARTING THE ENGINE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRPLANE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A BEECH B35 WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING. REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE HAD LOST POWER & BEGAN TO 'SPUTTER AS THE PILOT CHANGED FUEL TANKS. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE PILOT HAD NOT PROPERLY OPERATED THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE. FUEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED FROM THE LEFT TANK FIRST TO ALLOW EXCESS FUEL THAT BYPASSED THE ENGINE TO RETURN TO THAT TANK. HOWEVER, WHEN CHECKED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE LEFT TANK WAS FULL & FUEL 'GUSHED OUT.' THE RIGHT TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE & HAND FUEL PUMP WERE COMBINED ON THIS AIRPLANE; ALSO, THERE WAS A RED LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO INFORM THE PILOT, WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS DISENGAGED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A RED LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED DURING THE OCCURRENCE. HE HAD LOGGED ABOUT 7 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL. NO RECORD WAS FOUND THAT HE HAD RECEIVED TRAINING IN THE AIRPLANE OR ITS FUEL SYSTEM.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.