Accident Details
On November 15, 2011, at 1040 central standard time, a Beech S35 single-engine airplane, registration N5858S, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The accident occurred near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to N5858S, LLC, Brookfield, Wisconsin, and was operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Sequence of Events
The flight departed Sawyer International Airport (SAW), Marquette, Michigan, at 0920, destined for Capitol Airport (02C), Brookfield, Wisconsin. According to the pilot, the planned flight duration was 1 hour and 40 minutes, and the aircraft carried 58 total gallons of fuel. While in cruise flight at 2,500 feet mean sea level, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot reported no anomalies prior to the power loss. After switching fuel tanks and several unsuccessful restart attempts, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck trees adjacent to the field and landed with the landing gear partially extended. The airplane came to rest upright. The pilot estimated the left and right fuel tanks were approximately 1/2 full at the time of the accident.
Postaccident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed a bent firewall and forward fuselage. After recovery, approximately 35 gallons of fuel was found in the left fuel tank, while no fuel was present in the right fuel tank. The fuel selector was in the right tank position. The right fuel tank was intact, but the left fuel tank bladder contained a tear, allowing fuel to drain until it reached a level below the tear. No fuel was observed in the fuel lines from the right tank or throughout the engine fuel system. When the fuel selector was turned to the left tank, fuel flowed out of the selector valve; when turned to the right tank, no fuel flowed.