Probable cause
The pilot’s mismanagement of fuel onboard, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
NTSB analysis
During the daytime visual flight rules flight, the private pilot experienced engine trouble. He was able to keep the engine running utilizing the auxiliary fuel pump and diverted to the departure airport. The pilot was unable to make it to the airport and descended into a residential neighborhood where the airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a tree.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the main fuel tanks had a sufficient quantity of fuel and that the auxiliary fuel tank was nearly empty. The fuel selector valve handle was found in the auxiliary fuel tank position.
It is likely the pilot did not position the fuel selector switch to one of the main fuel tanks prior to consuming all the useable fuel in the auxiliary tank. This omission likely resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR19TA162 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 8, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Medford, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Rogue Valley Intl - Medford (MFR)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech 35
- N-number
- N602BH
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1947
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.