Beech C35 accident near Big Rapids, Michigan, April 4, 2004
On April 4, 2004 at about 6:50 pm local time, a Beech C35, registered N1922D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Big Rapids, Michigan (Roben-Hood Airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper fuel management which led to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 4, 2004 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Big Rapids, Michigan · Roben-Hood Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech C35 · all C35s on the register
- Registration
- N1922D · no longer on the register · serial D-3194
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that the engine had just been overhauled and reinstalled on the airplane. After a successful ground run, a flight test was conducted. The pilot reported that he and an aircraft mechanic departed with the right fuel tank selected, climbed to 8,500 feet mean sea level, and circled the airport while checking the engine performance. The pilot reported the new fuel pump was putting out nearly 15 psi., whereas, the previous fuel pump had put out 9 psi. After an hour of flying, the pilot started his descent to land with the fuel selector still on the right fuel tank. While on final approach he added power, but the engine did not respond. He could not restore engine power before the airplane impacted the ground. An inspection of the airplane revealed there were 6 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank, and 2.5 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank. The wing fuel tanks each held 20 gallons of fuel with 17 gallons being useable fuel. The inspection revealed no airframe or engine anomalies. The pilot reported, "I think what happened was that the increased fuel pump pressure transferred the fuel from the right tank into the left tank at an accelerated rate, and I had no idea that I was getting that close to empty." The engine was removed from the airframe and an engine run was conducted. The engine started and ran. The pilot reported that he departed with 20 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank, 5 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank, and 10 gallons of fuel in the auxiliary tank. The Beechcraft Bonanza C35 Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) states: "Take-offs should be made using the left main tank and landings should be made using the main tank that is more nearly full. In no case should a take-off be made if the fuel indications are in the yellow band or, with less than 10 gallons of fuel in each main tank." The POH also states: "The pressure type carburetor returns about 3 gallons per hour of excess fuel to the left main cell regardless of the cell selected."
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 548 hours in all; 286 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 548 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 28, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,946.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 30, 2004; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,700 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-185-11 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RQB Big Rapids MI at 5:30 pm
- Destination: RQB
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from RQB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.