History of Flight
On November 6, 2011, at approximately 0955 Pacific standard time, a Beech A36 (registration N64Z) experienced a loss of engine power and executed a forced landing at Yucca Valley Airport, Yucca Valley, California. The airplane was being operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The onboard certified flight instructor and the private pilot undergoing instruction were not injured. The local instructional flight had departed Yucca Valley about 0925. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.
The owner/private pilot undergoing instruction reported that they were performing a simulated loss of engine power. When he attempted to reapply power, the engine did not respond. They made a forced landing near the airport. During the landing, the right wing struck a road sign, and the landing nose gear separated from the fuselage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot undergoing instruction stated that the training flight had departed with approximately 35 gallons of fuel. After recovery, about 25 gallons of fuel was drained from both fuel tanks.
Examination
On November 28, 2011, investigators examined the airplane and engine at Aircraftsman, Inc., in Chino, California. The engine was inspected and found that the air induction filter box had sustained impact damage during the forced landing. No other damage to the engine was observed. After removing the damaged propeller, a replacement propeller was installed. An external fuel supply was attached to the fuel valve, and the engine was started and ran with no abnormalities noted.