History of Flight
On July 10, 2009, at 1015 mountain daylight time, a Beech 35-A33, registration N4334W, experienced a loss of engine power while on final approach to Las Vegas Municipal Airport (LVS) in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a field approximately one mile south of the airport. During the landing, the airplane nosed over, and a post-impact fire ensued. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries.
The flight originated from St. Johns Industrial Air Park (SJN) in St. Johns, Arizona, at 0735 mountain standard time, destined for LVS. The pilot, who had recently purchased the airplane, intended to refuel at LVS before continuing eastbound. While on a downwind leg for the long runway, the pilot had extended the landing gear and flaps with the engine at 1,700 RPM. He recalled a sudden descent and near-stall just before impact. After the first impact, the nose gear dug in, causing the airplane to flip onto its back. The pilot exited through the cabin door and reentered the burning wreckage to rescue the unconscious passenger.
A witness on the airport ramp observed the airplane flying southbound at pattern altitude and heard the engine sputtering. The engine failed and restarted twice before failing completely. The witness saw the airplane descend steeply, called 9-1-1, and later drove to the accident scene to assist the occupants until emergency responders arrived.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 42, held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and no instrument rating. He was issued a third-class medical certificate on December 7, 2006. His last biennial flight review was completed on May 24, 2008. The pilot's logbook was destroyed in the fire; he estimated 195 total flight hours, with about 25 hours in the accident airplane within the previous 30 days.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane, a 1961 Beech 35-A33 (serial number CD-331), was a low-wing, single-engine land aircraft originally equipped with a Continental IO-470-K engine. At the time of the accident, it was powered by a Continental IO-470-J engine (serial number 089122) rated at 230 horsepower, driving a Hartzell two-blade constant-speed propeller. The airplane had a standard airworthiness certificate issued April 5, 1961. It was registered to the owner on July 9, 2009.
The aircraft was configured with four seats, each equipped with seat belts but no shoulder harnesses (not required for its year of manufacture). Maintenance records were destroyed in the post-impact fire, but selected entries from an inspection authority mechanic indicated the most recent annual inspection was completed on July 7, 2009, at a tachometer time of 4,931.1 hours, aircraft total time of 8,406.1 hours, and engine total time of 1,822.6 hours.
Meteorological Information
At 1553, the automated surface observing system at LVS reported calm winds, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 27°C, dew point 7°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.34 inHg. The airport elevation is 6,877 feet MSL. Density altitude was calculated as 9,452 feet.
Communications
No communications with the accident airplane were recorded.
Airport Information
Las Vegas Municipal Airport has two asphalt runways: runway 14/32 (8,198 feet long, 75 feet wide) and runway 2/20 (5,004 feet long, 75 feet wide).
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was in a dry dirt and rock field with rolling terrain, at approximately 6,790 feet MSL. The debris path extended 290 feet northwest from the initial impact ground scar. The main wreckage came to rest inverted, with both wings attached and flight control surfaces connected. All three landing gear were extended; the nose gear strut piston was fractured. The propeller remained attached, with one blade bent rearward approximately 70 degrees and the other about 15 degrees. Thermal damage affected most non-steel components in the cockpit, cabin, rear fuselage, and wings. Examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no pre-impact anomalies.
Tests and Research
On October 21, 2009, the engine was examined at Teledyne Continental Motors facilities in Mobile, Alabama. After replacing impact-damaged parts, the engine was installed in a test cell and operated normally, producing rated horsepower without hesitation or interruption. No pre-impact engine anomalies were identified.
Additional Information
The airplane's fuel system had a total capacity of 70 gallons (63 gallons usable). The pilot's operating handbook describes a system with a 25-gallon fuel cell in each wing leading edge and two auxiliary 10-gallon cells outboard of the wheel wells.