Beech K35 accident near Richmond, Indiana, April 10, 2003
On April 10, 2003 at about 7:15 pm local time, a Beech K35, registered N614Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Richmond, Indiana (Richmond Municipal Airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot misjudged the fuel supply during the aircraft preflight which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor associated with the accident was the wires.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 10, 2003 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Richmond, Indiana · Richmond Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech K35 · all K35s on the register
- Registration
- N614Q · no longer on the register · serial D-5818
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was substantially damaged on impact with terrain during a forced landing after total loss of engine power. The pilot was ferrying the airplane to California for the new owner when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he banked the airplane to avoid hitting power lines. The airplane came to rest inverted. The fuel lines to the fuel distribution manifold were disconnected and no fuel was present. Further inspection of the fuel tanks revealed the left outboard fuel tank contained approximately one quart of 100 low lead fuel. No fuel was present in the other tanks. The pilot reported he took off with 47 gallons of fuel on board. The airplane had not been flow for approximately 10 years. The fuel tanks were drained and the airplane was fueled with 47.5 gallons of fuel during the month prior to the accident. The aircraft owner then started the airplane and ran the engine for approximately 40 minutes. No additional fuel was added prior to the accident flight. The accident pilot stated the fuel gauges were erratic.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,497 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,423 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 25, 1993
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motor IO-470-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GAI Gaithersburg MD at 5:06 pm
- Destination: EYE Indianapolis IN
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from DAY, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.