Accident Overview
On August 16, 2010, at approximately 1415 Pacific daylight time, a Beech V35B, registration N67311, experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing in an open field about 2 miles south of Sacramento International Airport (SMF) in Sacramento, California. The airplane was operated by Rosemead Properties, Inc., under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a cross-country flight. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage after colliding with power lines and impacting terrain during the forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed El Monte Airport (EMT) at 1211. No flight plan was filed for the intended destination, University Airport (EDU) in Davis, California.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot's written report, he refueled the airplane with 25.2 gallons of fuel, bringing the total to more than 70 gallons. He departed EMT with the fuel selector on the left tank and switched to the right tank about 1 hour into the flight. The pilot reported cruising at 6,500 feet and later descending to 4,500 feet after passing over Stockton, California. He reached the Sacramento VOR, turned to a heading of 276 degrees, and began descent for landing at EDU. The pilot stated that he switched back to the left tank in preparation for landing and noted both fuel gauges indicated half full. Shortly thereafter, the engine quit. He switched the selector back to the right tank and attempted to restart the engine without success. Due to inhospitable terrain further along the route, he decided to make a forced landing in an open field near SMF. The pilot reported crossing over trees and not having time to lower the landing gear before striking a power line. The airplane landed hard in a wings-level attitude. After exiting, the pilot observed fuel stains on the left wing and opined that fuel had vented from the left fuel tank. He reported this to the FAA inspector at the scene. In the recommendation section, the pilot stated that if the gas cap had been better secured, it would have prevented fuel venting.
Investigation Findings
The FAA inspector observed fuel staining along the left wing originating from the fuel cap. No other anomalies were noted during the on-scene inspection. During an interview, the pilot stated that after takeoff he observed fuel leaking from the fuel cap. During recovery of the airplane, about 1.5 gallons of fuel were drained, and the fuel tanks were not breached in the accident sequence.
On August 20, 2010, the NTSB investigator-in-charge and a representative from Teledyne Continental Motors examined the airframe and engine at Plain Parts in Pleasant Grove, California. Both wings had been removed for transport. The left wing showed no visible fuel staining. The engine remained attached to its mounts and airframe with no obvious holes in the crankcase. Manual rotation of the crankshaft via the propeller established valve and drive train continuity; thumb compression in all cylinders was obtained in proper firing order. Both magnetos were attached in their respective positions, and during rotation, the impulse couplings engaged and spark was obtained at each ignition lead. The upper spark plugs had wear consistent with a worn-out, normal appearance per the Champion check-a-plug Chart AV-27 with light gray deposits. The fuel pump was removed, inspected, and functionally checked; it was undamaged, the drive coupling intact, and fuel flowed freely when activated by an electric drill. The fuel manifold valve was removed and disassembled; the fuel system was undamaged and clear of debris. No mechanical abnormalities were found that would have precluded normal operation.