Accident
On April 30, 2010, at approximately 1717 mountain daylight time, a Beechcraft A36TC single-engine airplane, registration N3692Q, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power near El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso, Texas. The airline transport pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to a private company and operated by the pilot. No flight plan was filed for the business flight, which departed Montgomery Field (MYF), San Diego, California, at 1401 MDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Statement
In a telephone interview on May 6, 2010, the pilot stated that his final destination was Florida, with a planned refueling stop in El Paso. He departed San Diego with approximately 80 gallons of fuel (74 gallons usable), calculated for 5 hours of flight time. After climbing to 17,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the flight was described as "smooth...no problems." Approaching El Paso, the pilot was instructed by El Paso Approach Control to descend to 5,000 feet. Shortly after leveling off at 5,000 feet msl (about 1,100 feet agl), the engine "basically cut out...it just failed." The pilot attempted to restart the engine by ensuring the mixture was rich, switching fuel tanks, and using the auxiliary fuel pump, but was unsuccessful. He recalled the right fuel gauge indicated "slightly below half" but did not recall the left fuel gauge or oil temperature/pressure indications. The pilot contacted air traffic control and elected to land in desert terrain to avoid power lines. The forced landing occurred approximately 2.5 miles short of Runway 22 in rugged, desert terrain.
A written statement dated May 18, 2010, from the pilot added that about 45 minutes from El Paso, while descending, the engine ran rough for 30 seconds then cleared. When approximately 5 miles from the runway end at 1,100 feet agl, the "engine ceased operation." The pilot confirmed fuel indications above 1/4 on each tank and switched tanks, but could not restart. After landing, the pilot and passenger were advised by firemen to stay clear due to leaking fuel.
Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination. The airplane landed nose- and wings-level on rough sandy desert terrain with four- to six-foot-tall sand dunes and bushes. During rollout, both wings collided with a sand dune, collapsing the landing gear. The airplane traveled about 80 feet before coming to rest with the nose embedded in a dune.
Examination of the left wing revealed it was displaced aft and downward. The fuel bladder did not appear compromised except the finger screen was pulled from the tank boss near the highest point. The inspector noted a faint fuel smell but could not see or feel any fuel. Photographs showed the wing rested on green shrubs without discoloration.
The right wing was also displaced downward, with the leading edge slightly elevated. The fuel tank bladder appeared compromised; a large crater-shaped impact was on the leading edge. Some fuel smell was present, but no fuel was observed inside the bladder.
All fuel lines in the engine compartment were intact and secure. The fuel line from the firewall to the fuel pump contained no fuel; a small amount was found from the fuel servo to the distribution manifold. The fuel selector valve was positioned to the right wing tank, and the auxiliary fuel pump was in the auxiliary position.
Flight control continuity was established. The flap jack screw actuators indicated the flaps were fully extended.
The pilot reported the last annual inspection was completed on April 29, 2010, the day before the accident. He flew the airplane that morning and topped off with fuel before departing San Diego.
Pilot Qualifications
The pilot held an airline transport pilot rating for airplane multi-engine land, a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and sea, and an instrument rating. His last FAA third-class medical was issued on July 24, 2009, at which time he reported 3,668 total flight hours.