Beech 35-B33 N460SR accident near Camarillo, California

Probable cause

The loss of engine power during the landing approach for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that, following an uneventful flight, the student pilot configured the airplane for landing with full flaps and the landing gear extended. When the student pilot attempted to stop the descent and level off by adding power, he noticed that the engine had lost power. The CFI took control of the airplane and began troubleshooting. The CFI’s attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and he initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. However, due to the gusting wind that induced a high descent rate, the airplane landed short of the field on the flat roof of a storage facility, and a postcrash fire ensued. During postaccident interviews, the CFI reported that, during the flight, the student pilot switched fuel tanks multiple times, but he could not recall how many times or which fuel tank was selected. Examination of the recovered airframe revealed that the fuselage, inboard portion of the right wing, and the entire left wing were fire damaged. All the fuel tanks were compromised during the impact sequence. Examination of the recovered fuel injected engine revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11FA192 for the full record.