On August 22, 1988, a Beech A36TC (registration N1830R) was involved in an aviation accident near Paradise, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: AN UNDETERMINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S APPREHENSION IN UNDERTAKING THE APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY ACTIONS TO ATTEMPT AN AERIAL RESTART. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND INADEQUATE TRAINING. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft experienced engine power loss while leveling at 9,500 ft. The pilot, fearing engine damage, did not attempt an aerial restart and landed on a 60-degree rocky slope, short of a flat sandbar. Post-accident inspection found partial fuel inlet blockage by sludge; no other malfunctions identified.
Incident Details
The event occurred when the pilot was leveling the aircraft at an altitude of 9,500 feet. At that point, the engine lost power. The pilot decided not to attempt an aerial restart due to fear of damaging the engine. Instead, the pilot lowered the landing gear and performed a forced landing. The aircraft touched down on a rocky slope with a 60-degree incline, coming to rest about 500 feet short of a flat area consisting of gravel and mud sand bar.
Pilot Background
The pilot lacked documented emergency procedure training and had not undergone a biennial flight review.
Post-Accident Inspection
Examination of the aircraft after the accident revealed that the fuel inlet fitting was partially blocked by a mass described as sludge. The bypass fitting, however, was found to be unrestricted. No other failures or malfunctions were found with the engine or the aircraft structure.