Beechcraft K35 N153C
8 July 1994 · Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 8 July 1994 at about 22:00 local time, a Beechcraft K35 registered N153C, operated by Richard J. van Lente, was involved in an accident near Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Kent County (GRR)
- Coordinates
- 42.9295, -85.5410
- Aircraft
- Beechcraft K35
- Registration
- N153C
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Richard J. van Lente
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Ionia → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI94LA225
People
2 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
the pilot's improper fuel tank selection resulting in fuel starvation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
AFTER COMPLETING THREE PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES, THE PILOT PREPARED TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING. AFTER REALIZING THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT LEVELED THE WINGS AND RAISED THE NOSE IN PREPARATION FOR IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. AFTER IMPACT, THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO REST. POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO BE IN THE LEFT INBOARD POSITION. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANK REVEALED THE TANK WAS LOW TO EMPTY. ALL TANKS WERE INTACT AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL SPILL AT THE SCENE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Beechcraft K35 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Oct 1992 | Beechcraft K35 | Scott City, Kansas, United States | Crotts Aircraft Service, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1992 | Beechcraft K35 | Valley City, North Dakota, United States | Lewis, Asle K. | No injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 1992 | Beechcraft K35 | Sula, Montana, United States | McChristy, John C. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 1991 | Beechcraft K35 | Laredo, Texas, United States | DAN R. Blaker | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 Jan 1991 | Beechcraft K35 | Lafayette, Tennessee, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 25 Aug 1991 | Beechcraft K35 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | Hershel Maurer | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jun 1994 | Cessna 172N | Lambertville, Michigan, United States | Davis College | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Jun 1994 | Beechcraft 19 | Ionia, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1994 | Hunsberger GLASAIR | Lapeer, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1994 | Cessna T210M | Beaver Island, Michigan, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 1 Jul 1994 | Cessna 441 | Flint, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Jul 1994 | Cessna 150 | Watersmeet, Michigan, United States | Instit. FOR Basic Life Prin. | Minor injuries | - |