Beechcraft BE35 N860R

Summary

On 29 December 2004 at about 00:26 local time, a Beechcraft BE35 registered N860R was involved in an accident near Los Fresnos, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one 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

29 December 2004 at 00:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Los Fresnos, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Brownsville/South Padre (BRO)

Coordinates

26.1211, -97.4278

Aircraft

Beechcraft BE35

Registration

N860R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gladewater → Brownsville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

DFW05LA049

1 person had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the prevailing dark night ilumination.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 1,172-hour pilot reported that the engine lost power when he increased manifold pressure after he leveled off at an altitude of 1,200 feet while on a night cross country flight. The pilot was able to restart the engine by adjusting the mixture and turning on the fuel boost pump; however, the engine lost power a second time. He then initiated a forced landing to an open field with the landing gear retracted. After the airplane came to rest , the pilot secured the airplane and placed the fuel selector to the "off" position. Examination of the airplane revealed there was no fuel in the auxiliary tanks, 20 gallons in the left main tank, and approximately 15 gallons in the right main fuel tank. The pilot said that he had previously experienced a loss of engine power on three different occasions in this airplane, and was able to restore power. After each of those power losses the airplane was examined by an airframe and power plant mechanic, and no deficiencies were identified. The engine was test-run under the supervision of the Safety Board. The engine started immediately and ran at various power settings without interruption for approximately 30 minutes. No mechanical deficiencies were noted.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.