SPOKANE, WA, USA
N3778Q
BEECH V35
AFTER WHAT APPEARED TO BE A NORMAL TAKEOFF AND INITIAL CLIMB, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT LEVEL OFF AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL AND SOME HEARD SOUNDS OF POWER CESSATION. ACFT WAS OBERVED TO COMMENCE A LEFT TURN DURING WHICH THE BANK INCREASED TO AN EXCESSIVE ANGLE. THE ACFT PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND CRASHED IN A GRAVEL PARKING LOT IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA OF THE CITY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE-DRIVEN FUEL PUMP SHAFT HAD FAILED AT THE MANUFACTURED SHEAR POINT DUE TO BINDING OF THE PUMP BLADES AGAINST THE BORE. NO FOREIGN MATERIAL WAS FOUND IN THE BORE BUT A SMALL SILVER OF BLACK RUBBER WAS FOUND ON THE PUMP RELIEF VALVE POPPET. ENGINE FUEL HOSES HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. BOOST PUMP SWITCH FOUND IN 'OFF' POSITION. PREVIOUS ACFT OWNED BY PLT HAD FUEL BOOST PUMP SWITCH LOCATED IN DIFFERENT POSITION IN COCKPIT. PLT/OWNER AT CONTROLS NOT MEDICALLY CERTIFICATED. PIC IN RT SEAT NOT CURRENT IN MAKE/MODEL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
