Event MIA97LA227

Factual narrative

On August 5, 1997, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Beech V35B, N9236Q, registered to a private owner, crashed while on approach near Tullahoma, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries, and one passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight had originated from Elkhart, Indiana, at 0945. The pilot stated that after entering the airport traffic pattern for landing on runway 36, he went through the landing procedures, but said "[for] some unknown reason I still did not switch [fuel] tanks." He turned the airplane onto final approach, lowered the landing gear, selected 10 degrees of flaps, and was at a speed of "90 miles per hour." He further stated, "...about 100 yards from touch down...the engine cut out. I realized my error and switched to the full [fuel] tank, but the engine did not fire." The airplane was "low and slow," but the pilot thought he could still make the runway. The airplane struck the top of a tree and fell to the ground. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, "...this accident could have been avoided by following 'GUMP' [gas-under carriage-mixture-prop] to the letter." Examination of the wreckage revealed that both fuel tanks were breached, and fuel was not observed in either tank. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position While on final approach the airplane's engine lost power about 100 yards short of the runway and impacted with trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that both fuel tanks were breached, and fuel was not observed in either tank. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position. The pilot he realized he had 'error[ed]' and had not switched to the full fuel tank. He switched tanks, but he said 'the engine did not fire.' The airplane was 'low and slow,' but the pilot thought he could still make the runway. The airplane struck the top of a tree and fell to the ground. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, '...this accident could have been avoided by following 'GUMP' [gas-under carriage-mixture-prop] to the letter.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12