Beechcraft F35 N4255B

Summary

On 7 February 1993 at about 23:30 local time, a Beechcraft F35 registered N4255B, operated by Jerry F. Curtis, was involved in an accident near Sandy Valley, Nevada, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 February 1993 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Sandy Valley, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

35.7496, -115.5297

Aircraft

Beechcraft F35

Registration

N4255B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jerry F. Curtis

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA191

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE, AND TO ASSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL WAS ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT. THIS SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO AN INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY IN THE LEFT TANK, AND FUEL STARVATION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

NEITHER THE PILOT NOR THE OPERATOR CHECKED THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL LEVEL BEFORE THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT, IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, SAID HE WAS 'CHECKED OUT' IN THE AIRCRAFT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES BY THE FORMER OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT TOOK OFF TO FLY THREE MILES TO HIS RANCH. THE ENGINE QUIT AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACH THE RANCH. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING AND LANDED 50 FEET SHORT OF A ROAD. THE OWNER INSPECTED THE LEFT TANK AND SAID THE TANK WAS 'BONE DRY.' THE PILOT SAID HE HAD NOT CHANGED OR SWITCHED TANKS. HE SAID THE GAUGE SHOWED 1/2 FULL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.