Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN89LA014

GARFIELD, CO, USA

Aircraft #1

N31135

BEECH 58

Analysis

N31135 WAS BEING FERRIED TO JAPAN FROM WICHITA WITH AN ENROUTE STOP IN OAKLAND, CA. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH CABIN MOUNTED FERRY TANKS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED FROM THE ACFT FUEL TANKS TO THE FERRY TANK AND ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER THE RIGHT ENG QUIT. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE ENG FAILURE AS IF 'SELECTING IDLE CUTOFF ON THE MIXTURE LEVER.' THE PLT HAD NOT YET PERFORMED THE ENG OUT PROCEDURES AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS WITH UNSUCCESSFUL RESULTS, WHEN THE RT ENG 'SUDDENLY CONTINUED TO RUN AGAIN NORMALLY.' THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PASSING THROUGH 13,000FT MSL IN A CLIMB WHEN THE ENG QUIT. HE SAID HE LOST A FEW THOUSAND FT DURING THE ENG OUT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN MONARCH PASS AT 11,300 FT WITH BOTH ENGINES OPERATING. POST CRASH EXAM DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT HAD FLOWN OVER TWO AIRPORTS DURING THE ENG OUT. THE TERRAIN ELEVATION OF THE AREA TO THE EAST OF THE ACC SITE WAS HALF THAT OF THE PASS. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED AT A GROSS WEIGHT THAT WAS ABOUT 1,000 LBS OVER THE NORMAL MAX GROSS WEIGHT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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