N4403DBeech G35 · 1956

On September 6, 2008, at 1600 eastern daylight time, N4403D, a Beech G35, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Knoxville, Tennessee. The certificated airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated at the Middlesboro-Bell County Airport (1A6), Middlesboro, Kentucky. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he originally departed the Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX), Knoxville, Tennessee around 1100. Prior to his departure he visually confirmed that he had approximately 10 gallons of fuel in each fuel tank. He then flew the approximately 20-minute flight to the Middlesboro Airport, with the right fuel tank selected. About 1530, the pilot departed for the return trip to Knoxville, with the left fuel tank selected. As the airplane turned onto final approach, the engine lost power, and when the pilot realized he could not make it to the runway, he prepared for a forced landing to a river. The airplane “stalled” above the water, and after it touched down, both occupants egressed and swam to shore.

The pilot reported that the loss of power “sounded like the airplane quit getting gas to the engine.” He additionally reported that the airplane burned approximately 10 gallons of fuel per hour.

In a subsequent written statement, the pilot reported the flights on the day of the accident were the airplane's first after an annual inspection was completed. He stated prior to the inspection, the airplane was not flown much and the fuel in the airplane was "old" (perhaps several months). The pilot stated he performed a complete pre-flight inspection prior to takeoff from both DKX and 1A6, including sumping the fuel tanks to check for contamination. In the written statement, the pilot reported having 15 gallons of automotive fuel onboard prior to departure.

The airplane was recovered from the river and examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. According to the inspector, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail and fuselage. Examination of the fuel tanks revealed both tanks were empty, and the left fuel tank was selected.

Examination of the Beechcraft G35 Owner's Manual revealed at altitudes between 2,000 and 6,000 feet, the engine consumed 13.6 – 14.1 gallons per hour.

The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent first-class medical certificate was issued on October 5, 2007.

At the time of the accident, the pilot reported 12,000 hours of total flight experience, 150 of which were in make and model of the accident airplane. He reported 100 hours of flight experience in the previous 90 days, 3 of which were in make and model of the accident airplane.

The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on September 1, 2008. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 6,400 hours of total time.

The weather recorded at McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee, 10 miles to the southwest, at 1553, included wind from 280 degrees at 9 knots, 10 miles visibility, a broken cloud layer at 5,500 feet, temperature 28 degrees C, dew point 18 degrees C, and altimeter setting 29.94 inches mercury.