NTSB Factual Report

On March 28, 2008, about 1615 Pacific daylight time, a Beech F33A single-engine airplane, N3133W, landed short of the runway following a loss of engine power during final approach to landing at the Montgomery Field Airport (MYF), San Diego, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The personal flight originated from Ramona, California, about 1600.

The pilot reported that during an uneventful flight, she had leaned the fuel mixture. She stated that she was cleared to land on runway 28L and proceeded to slow the airplane to 120 knots and extend the landing gear. About 2 miles from the runway on final approach, she heard a "slight whirl noise" followed by the engine losing power. She applied full throttle with no change in engine performance. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard in an open area about 250 feet short of the approach end of the runway and struck a ditch during the landing roll. The pilot reported to investigators she did not change the mixture setting during her approach to MYF. She added that from the time the engine lost power to the time the airplane impacted the ground was about 30 seconds.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the firewall sustained substantial damage. The engine remained attached to the airframe by all its mounts. The engine was started and ran normally through various power settings. No anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe.

The Beechcraft Bonanza F33A Pilot's Operating Handbook normal procedures state to enrich the mixture as required for descent and before landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper use of the mixture control.