Accident Overview
On September 12, 2017, at approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Beech N35 airplane, registration N9368Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near South Bend International Airport (SBN), South Bend, Indiana. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flight Details
The flight departed Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC), Olathe, Kansas, at about 0930, en route to SBN. While on final approach for runway 9R, the pilot reported that the engine "missed." The pilot attempted to increase engine power by advancing the throttle control forward, but there was no response from the engine.
Forced Landing
During the forced landing, the main landing gear clipped the elevated island between two oncoming lanes of traffic. The airplane bounced and struck a car before coming to rest in the grass adjacent to the road. The left wing was bent and buckled during the forced landing.
Postaccident Examination
Prior to recovery of the airplane, the FAA inspector who responded recovered about a cup of fuel from the right fuel tank. Visible fuel was present in the left fuel tank. After recovery, a postaccident examination revealed blue-colored fuel streaking from the right-wing fuel filler aft to the trailing edge of the right-wing flap. The right fuel tank was empty, and the left fuel tank contained about 10 gallons of fuel. The fuel cap and seat were unremarkable. An examination of the engine and remaining systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.