NTSB Factual Report

On November 17, 2006, about 1930 mountain standard time, a Beech J35 airplane, N8246D, lost engine power, and impacted a tree on final approach for runway 21 at the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG), Flagstaff, Arizona. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the cross-country flight that originated from Chinle, Arizona, at an unknown time. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The accident site was located approximately 300 yards north of runway 21 at 35 degrees 09.03 minutes north latitude and 111 degrees 39.48 minutes west longitude.

According to a witness located near the airport, he heard the airplane flying an approach to runway 21. He described the conditions as dark night with little-to-no illumination from the moon. He heard the airplane's engine surge and rev loudly three times before going silent. He believed the pilot would be able to glide the airplane to the airport since he was on final approach; however, after about 10 seconds following the loss of engine power he heard a loud crash. He proceeded in the direction of the crash and found the airplane near one of the outlying lights of the approach lighting system. He approached the airplane from the left side and noted that the left wing was missing. He also noted that there was no smell of fuel at the accident site. He checked the condition of the pilot and then left the scene to get help.

The FLG airport manager was called to the scene of the accident and noted that the left wing was separated outboard of the left flap and remained 30 feet above the ground in the tree it impacted. The airplane was facing 180 degrees from the approach heading. The engine and cockpit sustained significant impact damage and the cockpit structure as compromised. According to the airport manager, there was no smell of fuel at the accident site.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) responded to the accident site on November 18, 2006. According to the FAA inspector, the left fuel tank had been compromised during the accident sequence, and the FAA inspector confirmed there was 5 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank. He noted that the fuel selector was in the AUXILIARY tanks position. The inspector removed the inlet and outlet lines from the fuel manifold and observed no fuel in any line.

The airplane had a total fuel capacity of 60 gallons. Each of the airplane's main fuel cells were capable of holding 20 gallons of fuel, of which, 17 gallons were usable. The airplane also featured two auxiliary fuel cells (right and left). Each of these two fuel cells were capable of holding 10 gallons of fuel, of which, 9.5 gallons were usable. A review of the before landing checklist in the aircraft flight manual for the accident airplane revealed that prior to landing, the fuel selector must be positioned to the "MAIN TANK MORE NEARLY FULL."

According to the pilot's wife, she spoke with the pilot prior to his departure from Chinle. He informed her that he was not sure if he needed gas or not, but if he did he would stop at the Holbrook Municipal Airport, Holbrook, Arizona, to refuel. According to the Holbrook fueling records, the pilot did not purchase fuel on the 17th. Chinle Municipal Airport does not have fuel services.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning while on approach which lead to a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.