Beech V35B accident near Livermore, California, July 24, 2003
On July 24, 2003 at about 5:54 pm local time, a Beech V35B, registered N386TC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Livermore, California (Livermore Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power during cruise flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 2003 · about 5:54 pm local time
- Place
- Livermore, California · Livermore Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35B · all V35Bs on the register
- Registration
- N386TC · no longer on the register · serial D-9906
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight. He said he noted the fuel pressure dropping, and he pushed full forward on the throttle. He indicated he also turned the fuel boost pump on, and switched fuel tanks, although he does not recall which tank the fuel selector was on at the time of the power loss. He was unable to restore power, and a forced landing was made in vineyard. Postaccident inspection of airplane disclosed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. Recovery personnel stated that a quarter ounce of fuel was drained from the fuel strainer, 7 ounces from the left tank, and 9.8 gallons from the right tank. An FAA inspector was present when the engine was inspected and ran. Fresh gasoline was added to the left fuel tank, and the engine was started and run without any observed abnormalities.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 919 hours in all; 55 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 847 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 27, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,610 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RNO Reno NV at 5:00 pm
- Destination: RHV San Jose CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from LVK
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.