Casualties unknown

Fuel Starvation Leads to Off-Runway Landing During Demonstration Flight (N1721W)

Broomfield, CO, US

On January 18, 1989, a Beech V35B (registration N1721W) was involved in an aviation accident near Broomfield, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FUEL STARVATION DUE TO IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTIOR OPERATION BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: UNPREPARED (ROUGH/UNEVEN) TERRAIN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a sales-demonstration flight, the engine stopped on base leg. The CFI attempted restart but failed, performed a forced landing short of the runway, and the landing gear collapsed. Investigation revealed the right fuel tank was selected and empty.

Accident Details

A certified flight instructor (CFI) was conducting a sales-demonstration flight with two passengers. The left-seat passenger was handling the controls. Air traffic control had cleared the flight to land on Runway 29R, a 7,498-foot-long by 100-foot-wide asphalt runway. The reported wind was 190 degrees at 6 knots.

Sequence of Events

The CFI reported that just prior to turning base, the engine stopped. The CFI took control of the aircraft and attempted an engine restart, which was unsuccessful. To clear obstacles, the CFI first retracted the landing gear, then extended it again to absorb the landing impact. The aircraft touched down approximately 600 feet short of the runway threshold. During the rollout, the landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft came to rest about 400 feet from the approach end of Runway 29R.

Post-Accident Investigation

Post-accident examination revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the right fuel tank, and the right tank was empty. No fuel was found in the fuel lines or the fuel pump. Both passengers stated that the fuel pressure dropped to zero at the time the engine quit.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27573. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.