CEN20LA380

NTSB accident investigation · Beech 35 · Canyon Lake, TX · September 7, 2020

Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal report
Date
September 7, 2020, 12:47 local (17:47 UTC)
Place
Canyon Lake, TX
Injuries
2 serious, 1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N4636DBeech 35
Defining event
Enroute: Unknown or undetermined
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
Investigation class
Class 3
NTSB office
Central Region
Parties
Textron Aviation, FAA-SAT FSDO
FAA report
20200907014279A
Case key
101920

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for a reason that could not be determined based on available information.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Not determinedNot determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determinedBeech G35: 2 casesAll aircraft: 2,247 casesProbable cause
Engine (reciprocating)Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · FailureBeech G35: 1 caseAll aircraft: 497 casesProbable cause
Object/animal/substance: tree(s)Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcomeBeech G35: 1 caseAll aircraft: 933 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane’s engine lost all power shortly after he switched fuel tanks in preparation for landing. Attempts to restart, which included selecting the other fuel tanks, were unsuccessful. The airplane was damaged when it struck trees and terrain during the subsequent forced landing. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s engine and fuel system failed to reveal a reason for the reported loss of engine power. Based on available evidence, the accident was the result of a total loss of engine power for a reason that could not be determined based on available information.

Factual narrative

On September 7, 2020, about 1247 central daylight time, a Beech G35 airplane, N4636D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Canyon Lake, Texas. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured. A second passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that while enroute to the Canyon Lake Airport (34TS) the engine lost all power shortly after he switched the fuel selector to the left main fuel tank in preparation for landing. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a clearing but struck trees on the edge of the clearing and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane incurred substantial damage to its fuselage and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s engine and fuel system did not reveal a reason for the reported loss of engine power.

Aircraft

Registration
N4636D
Reported as
Beech 35 (G35)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
D-4801
Built
1956
Airframe hours
4,556
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · May 10, 2020
Departed
FST · Fort Stockton, TX
Destination
34TS · Canyon Lake, TX
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
34TS · Canyon Lake

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
65
Injuries
Serious
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
BasicMed
Last flight review
April 15, 2020
Seat
Left
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
4,372 total · 150 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
210° at 11 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
91 °F, dew point 66 °F
Altimeter
29.92 inHg
Observed at
BAZ, 16 nm away

Docket · 7

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 19, 2022, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 4.3 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.