Accident Details
On February 21, 2009, at 1030 mountain standard time, a Beech B35, registration N8799A, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines and terrain during a forced landing. The accident occurred near La Luz, New Mexico, approximately one mile north of Alamogordo, following a loss of engine power while maneuvering. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight, originating from Alamogordo at about 1005. The private pilot and a designated pilot examiner were on board; neither was injured.
Sequence of Events
During the return to the airport, the engine lost power. The examiner observed a drop in fuel pressure. The electric boost pump was activated, and the examiner directed the pilot to operate the wobble pump. Fuel pressure rose to 2.5 psi, and the engine restarted, running for approximately 20 seconds. While gliding toward an open field, the examiner lowered the landing gear and raised the nose to clear power lines. He felt a snag on the left main gear, which diverted the flight path slightly left. The airplane touched down, and during the landing roll, it struck a dirt berm, collapsing the nose gear and causing a spin. The right wing was bent, and the left wing sustained spar damage after striking mesquite bushes.
Post-Accident Examination
An inspector from the FAA's Flight Standards District Office in Albuquerque examined the aircraft. The fuel system was intact. The right wing tank contained sufficient fuel that the fuel cap could not be removed; the left main tank held approximately one gallon. The fuel selector valve and wobble pump were set to the left main tank. Activating the wobble pump did not supply fuel to the engine-driven pump, but when the selector was moved to the right tank position, fuel was supplied. The inspector noted several other discrepancies. The pilot's mechanic later found what appeared to be a dirt dobber nest in the right fuel tank vent, which likely caused a vacuum and prevented fuel flow.