Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's unstable approach and delayed decision to go-around. Contributing to the accident was the unporting of the fuel supply following a forward slip maneuver during the approach, which resulted in the loss of engine power during the go-around.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On October 18, 2019, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Beech N35 airplane, N564T, impacted terrain and trees during a go-around at Monroe County Airport (MNV), Madisonville, Tennessee. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that during the approach to MNV he decided to perform a training exercise by simulating an engine failure during the landing. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 5 and reduced power to idle; while on final approach he reported that the airplane was "a little fast and a little high" so he performed a forward slip to the left (left rudder application) for a "second or two." He continued the approach and the airplane touched down with about 1,000 ft of the 3,643 ft runway remaining and immediately bounced back into the air.
The pilot decided to perform a go-around and applied power; however, the engine did not respond. The airplane flew beyond the departure end of the runway, touched down in grass, and skidded into shrubs and trees. The left and right wings sustained substantial damage. Postaccident, the pilot reported that he believed the slip maneuver "unported fuel from the right tank [selected tank for approach] and prevented the plane from throttling up." He reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.
Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. There were no obstructions or debris found in the fuel system and the engine produced normal power when it was test run. Inspection revealed 17 gallons of fuel in the right tank and 22 gallons in the left tank.
The airplane flight manual stated in part:
FUEL CELLS
Fuel supply is carried in two bladder-type cells with a total capacity of [40 gallons, optional fuel system installed], located in the wings just outboard of the fuselage. Fuel is fed from the cells to a selector valve just forward of the front seat, on the left side, then through a strainer to the fuel pump and the engine. The fuel tank fillers are located in the wing leading edges.
Maximum Slip Duration:
30 seconds for airplanes with baffled main fuel cells in both wings.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA20LA018