Beech 35-C33A N72CW accident near Pueblo, Colorado

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s improper fuel management and resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, while on final approach with the engine idling, he advanced the mixture control to the "full rich" position and the propeller control to the "high rpm" position in case he had to perform a go-around. The engine immediately lost power, and the airplane started to lose altitude. The pilot turned the airplane to avoid a ravine ahead and subsequently made a forced landing on rough terrain. The engine was functionally tested in a test cell to full power, and no anomalies were noted. About 25 gallons of usable fuel were found in the right fuel tank. However, the fuel tank selector was found positioned to the left fuel tank, and only 1/2 gallon of fuel was found in the left tank; therefore, it is likely the engine was starved of available fuel. If the pilot had been monitoring the fuel in flight and switched the fuel tank selector to the right fuel tank, the engine likely would not have been starved of fuel.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA393 for the full record.