N35MM

On August 27, 1998, at 1520 Pacific daylight time, a Beech V35B, N35MM, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, initiated a forced landing after the engine experienced a loss of power. During the emergency landing to a field near Sagle, Idaho, the aircraft collided with an embankment. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight had originated from San Luis Obispo, California, about four and a half hours prior to the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that approximately ten miles south of the airport, he initiated three medium-bank turns and one steep turn to lose altitude for landing. The pilot stated that he then turned north and flew toward the airport, descending another 200 feet, when the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he immediately switched the fuel selector to the fullest fuel tank, and initiated the checklist procedures in an attempt to restart the engine. The attempts to restart the engine failed, and the pilot executed a forced landing to an open field. The aircraft touched down with the landing gear retracted, and a five to ten degree bank angle. After touchdown, the airplane spun around as it skidded over the uneven pasture. The airplane skidded through a drainage ditch and fence before coming to rest on a county road.

A mechanic from Sandpoint Aviation was retained to recover the airplane from the field. Prior to the removal of the airplane, the mechanic raised the aircraft and determined that the fuel sample drains were intact, and there was no evidence found to indicate that the fuel tanks had been compromised. The mechanic then proceeded to drain fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. The mechanic reported that the left-side fuel tank contained less than one quart of fuel. The right-side fuel tank contained between eight and nine gallons of fuel.

The airplane was moved to Sandpoint Aviation for further inspection. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office reported that during the engine inspection, there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. The inspector reported that there was no evidence of fuel in the fuel system.

Shortly after the accident, the pilot stated to the inspector that, at the time of the loss of engine power, the fuel selector was positioned on the left side. The pilot also stated to the inspector that he had flown this route before and had refueled en route. On the day of the accident, the pilot elected not to refuel en route.