CARROLLTON, TX, USA
N236S
BEECH S35
THE PILOT MISMANAGED THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LATTER PORTION OF A CROSS COUNTY FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL NON-MECHANICAL, LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS VECTORED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, BUT STRUCK A TREE AND THE TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 3 STATUTE MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT COULD NOT, DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT WAS FLYING WITH THE LEFT FUEL TANK SELECTED WHICH WAS FOUND DEPLETED OF USEABLE FUEL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS 3/4 FULL OF USEABLE, CLEAN FUEL. AFTER THE LOSS OF POWER, THE FUEL PUMP CAVITATED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME OR ALTITUDE TO PERFORM A RESTART.
STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS CAUSED BY THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SELECTION/MANAGEMENT OF THE APPROPRIATE FUEL TANK. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN RUNNING A FUEL TANK DRY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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