Departure and Fuel Management
The pilot began the flight with the right fuel tank full (approximately 17 gallons) and the left tank about half full. During the initial leg, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, the fuel selector was set to the right tank. After landing at the destination, the pilot prepared for the return flight and again selected the right tank.
Power Loss and Forced Landing
As the airplane reached the end of the runway during the return departure, the engine began to sputter and subsequently lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field; during the landing, the airplane impacted trees.
Pilot Report and Observed Cause
The pilot reported that the airplane consumed more fuel when the right tank was selected because unused fuel from the engine is returned to the left fuel tank. The pilot stated that the cause of the accident was "fuel starvation and simple pilot error."
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed that the right fuel tank was ruptured, while the left fuel tank remained approximately half full. The fuel lines from the fuel pump to the fuel injector, and from the fuel distributor to the cylinders, contained no fuel. The fuel line from the fuel selector to the fuel pump contained only residual fuel.
Relevant Handbook Information
According to the Beechcraft BE-35 Pilot's Operating Handbook, the pressure-type carburetor returns approximately 3 gallons per hour of excess fuel to the left main cell, regardless of which cell is selected. The fuel burn rate, as depicted in the Performance section of the Handbook, was approximately 9.5 gallons per hour.