# NTSB CEN20LA380: Beech 35, N4636D, Canyon Lake, TX, September 7, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 7, 2020, 12:47 local (17:47 UTC) - Place: Canyon Lake, TX - Coordinates: 29.87084, -98.260101 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8708&lon=-98.2601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Textron Aviation, FAA-SAT FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101920 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA380 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101920/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101920 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA380 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for a reason that could not be determined based on available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech G35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1151516), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech G35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=1151516), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech G35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1151516), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Beech G35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151516), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech G35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=1151516), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech G35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151516), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4636D-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N D-4801, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35 (G35) - Registry model: [Beech G35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-g35) (registry code 1151516) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-4801 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 4556 - 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; 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 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20200907014279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200907014279A), Sep 7, 2020: Beech G35, Canyon Lake, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft bearing registration number N4636D was traveling from fort stockton Texas to Canyon Lake Texas with one pilot and two passengers. As the aircraft… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 19, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101920. 4.3 MB in all. - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 249 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13162841&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form%20with%20title%20-%20NEW%202010-signed%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance record excerpt (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 920 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13162977&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13163538&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20Photo%20array-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 369 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13165479&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN20LA380%20N4636D%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather information (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13165684&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather%20KBAZ-Rel.pdf - Examination summary (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13165694&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary%20--Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13227000&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release%20-%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.