NTSB Factual Report

On August 5, 2007, about 2040 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 36, N9ET, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The airline transport certificated pilot diverted from his intended destination of North Las Vegas, Nevada, to Jean, Nevada. The pilot made a forced landing in an open dirt field about 0.4 miles north-northeast of Jean's runway 20R. Neither the pilot, who operated the airplane, nor the two passengers were injured as the airplane slid to a stop on uneven terrain with retracted landing gear. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Calexico, California, about 1915.

The pilot reported that while flying en route he exhausted the fuel in the right wing's fuel tank. He then repositioned the fuel selector to draw fuel from the left main fuel tank. After about 10 minutes all engine power was lost. The pilot advised an air traffic controller that he was diverting to the Jean (uncontrolled) airport, and the pilot attempted to restart the engine. The pilot was not successful, and the airplane landed short of the runway.

An aviation safety inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Las Vegas Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site and thereafter examined the airplane. The FAA inspector reported that the amount of skin, fuselage longeron, and buckling present in the center belly section of the airplane rendered it substantially damaged.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.