About Eight Minutes After Takeoff... The Engine Started To Run Rough And Lose Power

Location: Temecula, CA Accident Number: WPR22LA062
Date & Time: December 11, 2021, 14:55 Local Registration: N654HR
Aircraft: Beech K35 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On December 11, 2021, about 1455 Pacific standard time, a Beech K35 airplane, N654HR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Temecula, California. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that about eight minutes after takeoff, while at a cruise altitude about 3,000 ft mean sea level, the engine started to run rough and lose power. He was operating off the left fuel tank and therefore activated the fuel pump and switched to the right fuel tank but that did not resolve the issue. The engine continued to lose power until the pilot said that it was not producing any power.

The pilot maneuvered the airplane to land on a golf course fairway but had to abort the approach due to individuals on the fairway. Subsequently, the pilot elected to make a force landing in a nearby grape vineyard. He intentionally kept the landing gear retracted to minimize any entanglement with the wire that was used to support growing the grape vines. During the landing sequence, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings when it struck posts that supported the wire used to grow the grapes.

The airplane was recovered to a secure location for future examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov