Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's improper planning and decision making resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing factors include the insufficient time to completely extend the landing gear, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 31 2004, at approximately 1815 mountain daylight time, a Beech V35A, N222S, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Walker Field (GJT), Grand Junction, Colorado. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated that he took off from GJT at approximately 1600, for a planned local flight of approximately 2 hours, and to complete a few taxi-back landings. The pilot stated that, during his second approach, he noticed that the right main fuel tank gauge was "indicating 1/3 full, at the top of the yellow arc." At that time, he switched the fuel selector lever from the right main tank to the left main tank, and completed the second approach. The left main tank was, "reading 2/3 full." The pilot then made his third departure and taxi-back landing.
After the pilot requested a fourth departure, the tower directed him to switch from runway 29, to runway 22. The pilot stated that, prior to his fourth departure, the left main fuel gauge was indicating, "a little over 1/3 full, above the yellow arc." During the departure climb, at approximately 500 feet agl, the engine lost power. The pilot completed a 180 degree turn and attempted to land on runway 4. Unable to make the runway, the pilot was forced to land in a field. The airplane impacted the terrain approximately 100 feet left of the runway centerline, and came to a stop adjacent to the runway threshold. The pilot stated that, during the forced landing, he did not have sufficient time to completely extend the landing gear. The impact with the terrain collapsed the landing gear, buckled the airplane's right forward keel beam and separated the step from the fuselage.
The pilot stated that the total fuel on board at the last take-off was 26 gallons. According to the Beechcraft Bonanza Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), it states, "do not take off when Fuel Quantity Gauges indicate in the Yellow Band or with less then 13 gallons in each main tank."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN04LA118