Beechcraft 35-B33 N9617Y

Summary

On 11 November 2009 at about 01:35 local time, a Beechcraft 35-B33 registered N9617Y, operated by William P and Maureen Griggs, was involved in an accident near Chico, California, 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.

Date

11 November 2009 at 01:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Chico, California, United States

Nearest airport

Chico (CIC)

Coordinates

39.7903, -121.8586

Aircraft

Beechcraft 35-B33

Registration

N9617Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

William P and Maureen Griggs

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Portland → Chico

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10LA053

2 people had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power during final approach for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, she filled the fuel tanks prior to departure for the cross-country flight. She switched the fuel selector position every 30 minutes during the flight in an effort to alternate between tanks. She switched to the fullest (left) tank while on approach to the airport. The airplane was on a stable glide path with the gear and flaps down, mixture rich, and propeller at low pitch. On final approach, about 100 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a loss of power. Despite the pilot’s efforts, which included switching to the right tank and turning the fuel boost pump to the "on" position, the engine would not restart. The pilot banked to the right to avoid the runway approach lights and the wing tip subsequently struck the ground. The airplane tumbled in a cartwheel-type maneuver before coming to a stop in a nose-down attitude. First responders observed no fuel in the right wing fuel tank and drained about 12.5 gallons of fuel from the left wing fuel tank. During a postaccident examination, with the airplane in a level attitude, investigators drained 10 gallons of fuel from the right fuel tank and found fuel in the gascolator. Investigators discovered no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.