Beechcraft H35 Bonanza | N5409D

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot did encounter a Loss of Thrust on Takeoff (LOTOT), or a Reduction of Thrust on Takeoff, and did enter a left turn. The accident pilot likely raised the nose of the aircraft when the abnormal occurred, in an attempt to reach an open clearing nearby, or did not lower the nose sufficiently, whereupon the aircraft became aerodynamically stalled, and impacted terrain left wing low in a near vertical fashion. All components of the aircraft were located at the crash site, and control continuity was established. The published NTSB preliminary report indicates “The wreckage debris field was contained to about a 15 yard radius encompassing the main wreckage.” The aircraft impact was nearly vertical, breaking the tail upon impact. The engine was likely producing some power at impact, although it is not known how much power was available. The impact crater created by the engine was about 18 inches in depth. The aircraft made a takeoff on runway 36 and the wreckage was found 2,650 feet from the departure runway and 18 degrees to the left of runway centerline. The accident pilot and his wife had flown in from their home base in Seguin, Texas and were stopping at this airport as the midpoint of the trip for fuel and a break. While the aircraft had tip tanks, no fuel was dispensed to the left tip tank (AUX tank), but the MAIN tanks were filled to an approximately 40.0 US Gallon capacity, and “some fuel” was added to the right tip (AUX) tank before the fuel dispensing pump stopped working. The accident pilot had mentioned during fueling conversation that he had landed with a significant fuel imbalance, and that he was concerned about that cause. The NTSB investigation showed that the aircraft fuel selector was found to be in an improper “AUX” position at the time of the crash, but there is no mention of left versus right in that report. It is possible that the accident pilot switched fuel tanks after the runup, and immediately before takeoff in accordance with the Bonanza BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECKLIST which stipulates “Fuel on Fullest Main Tank” and accidently selected the mostly dry left AUX (tip) tank. Regardless, it is highly likely that the accident pilot did encounter a thrust problem of some kind immediately after takeoff, the exact cause of which may never be known. The engine ran for approximately 40 seconds before it was fuel deficient and began to cut out. The aircraft was allowed to be aerodynamically stalled during this sequence at an altitude that was too low to effect a recovery. Since there was more than sufficient fuel in the main tanks, and the fuel selector was found in the AUX position, a fuel delivery problem of some kind is most certainly related to this accident. The landing gear was found to be in transit, but it could not be determined if the landing gear was on the way up or down at the time of impact.

NTSB: NONE

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to be fully prepared for ROTOT, or LOTOT, and to lower the nose, raise the landing gear, add full flaps, and land straight ahead during all low altitude ROTOT or LOTOT scenarios. The DTSB also recommends that pilots amend checklists to note “not” to change fuel tank selections immediately prior to takeoff. The takeoff tank should be determined during preflight and set to a MAIN tank and verified before engine start. After engine start, do not change tanks prior to takeoff.

NTSB: NONE