Beechcraft 35-A33 N5ML

Summary

On 23 July 2021 at about 12:45 local time, a Beechcraft 35-A33 registered N5ML was involved in an accident near Mineral Wells, Texas, 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

23 July 2021 at 12:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Mineral Wells, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Mineral Wells Regional Airport (MWL)

Coordinates

32.7894, -98.0691

Aircraft

Beechcraft 35-A33

Registration

N5ML

Category

Airplane

Year built

1060

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Weatherford → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA473

2 people had minor injuries.

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After a normal takeoff, the pilot encountered low clouds en route to his destination. He diverted to a nearby airport and avoided the clouds as he descended toward the airport. He entered a downwind for the runway and reduced the engine to a low power setting. After turning final, the pilot attempted to add power; however, the engine did not respond. He manipulated the throttle several times, but the engine did not increase from idle power. The pilot initiated a landing to a nearby field. The airplane touched down hard, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest. During an on-scene examination, the fuel selector was found positioned on the left tank. About 3 inches of fuel was observed in the right-wing fuel tank, and no visible fuel was noted in the left-wing fuel tank. During a discussion with the pilot, he reported that the airplane was on the right fuel tank when the loss of power occurred. After recovery, a temporary fuel tank was connected to the fuel line at the left-wing root to facilitate an engine run. The airplane started and operated uneventfully at various engine speeds with no anomalies noted. Since the engine operated normally postaccident, and fuel was present in the right fuel tank, it is likely the engine was starved of fuel during the accident flight, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.