Beechcraft K35 N5392E

Summary

On 13 March 2010 at about 00:24 local time, a Beechcraft K35 registered N5392E, operated by Brett Beukens, was involved in an accident near Boulder City, Nevada, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 March 2010 at 00:24

Classification

Accident

Location

Boulder City, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Boulder City Municipal (BVU)

Coordinates

35.9419, -114.8419

Aircraft

Beechcraft K35

Registration

N5392E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Brett Beukens

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Queens Creek → Henderson

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10FA158

1 person died.

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel management; also causal was his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was on a cross-country flight to an airport that he had previously visited several times. Radar data indicated that he was flying northwest. The pilot contacted airport personnel 15 miles short of his intended destination, stating that he was low on fuel and that he needed to land immediately. Airport personnel informed him that runway 15 was active. The pilot reported that he did not see the airport and asked for help locating it. About 4 minutes 20 seconds later, the pilot requested a straight-in landing and indicated that he was gliding. Witnesses in another aircraft reported that they saw the airplane strike power lines and then descend directly to the ground east of the airport while on final approach for the runway. Inspection of the wreckage found that approximately 5 gallons of usable fuel remained in the left main tank. The remainder of the fuel tanks were either breached or contained less than usable amounts of fuel. Investigators found no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine. The sun was 16 degrees above the horizon directly in the direction of the runway and glare likely hindered the pilot from seeing the wires.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.