N5MLBeech 35-A33

On July 23, 2021, at 0745 central daylight time, a Beech 35-A33 airplane, N5ML, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mineral Wells Regional Airport (MWL), Mineral Wells, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot and passenger reported that the purpose of the flight was to fill the airplane with fuel for an upcoming flight. After a normal takeoff, they encountered low, dense clouds. The pilot elected to divert to MWL, and he conducted a spiral descent through a hole in the clouds. When the airplane entered downwind for runway 13, he reduced the engine to a low power setting. After turning final, the pilot attempted to add power; however, the engine did not respond. He confirmed the engine was still operating by looking at the manifold and fuel pressure gauges. He then manipulated the throttle several times, but the engine did not increase from idle. The pilot initiated a landing to a nearby field. The airplane touched down hard, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest.

On-scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector noted that the right wing was wrinkled; however, there were no visible indications of a fuel leak. The auxiliary fuel tank gauge indicated empty, and the main fuel tank gauge indicated ¼ tank full when power was applied to the airplane. The right-wing fuel tank contained about 3 inches of fuel, and no visible fuel was noted in the left-wing fuel tank. The fuel selector was found selected to the left tank; however, during a discussion with the pilot, he reported that the right fuel tank was selected when the loss of power occurred. He reported that he turned off the fuel after the accident but must have accidentally placed the fuel selector on the left fuel tank.

After the airplane was recovered, the propeller was replaced, and a temporary fuel tank was connected to the fuel line at the left-wing root to facilitate an engine run. The airplane started uneventfully and idled for a short time. The throttle was advanced to various rpm settings, and the engine responded accordingly. The propeller control was manipulated, and a magneto check was completed with no anomalies noted.