# NTSB ERA26LA154: Beech V35, N15VM, Saluda, SC, March 21, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 21, 2026, 12:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Saluda, SC - Coordinates: 33.927456, -81.793694 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9275&lon=-81.7937&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202727/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202727 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA154 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion, collision with a fence, and a hard landing . ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after arrival to the destination airport he overflew it and entered a left downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern for landing. He configured the airplane for landing then turned onto the base and final legs of the airport traffic pattern where he lowered full flaps maintaining a crosswind correction of right wing low and left rudder input. On short final he reduced power to idle and flared either too little or too late, after which the airplane bounced. With the airplane in a slight nose-up attitude, he believed he added power too quickly but did not recall adding right rudder input. The airplane violently and abruptly turned left, after which he was partially able to recover but not before flying away from the runway and impacting a chain link fence. The airplane then landed hard in an open area on the airport resulting substantial damage to both wings and the bottom of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded a normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15VM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15VM), registered now, S/N D-9936, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH V35 (B) - Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-9936 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 5039 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550-B (71B) 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 20, 2025, 35 hours before - Departed: GRD, Greenwood, SC - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 6J4, Saluda County Airport, runway 19, 3,189 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 14, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,671 total, 26 in this make and model, 3,267 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KAIK, 18 nm away - METAR: METAR KAIK 211655Z AUTO 27006KT 10SM CLR 25/11 A3000 RMK AO2 T02510111 ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202727. 11.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 6.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20378252&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20MPTPDF_Recd%204%2011%202026_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of NTSB conversation (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 1 photo, 531 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20378456&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Jay%20Allen%20Gagne%204%201%202026%20v03_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 7 photos, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20378547&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Investigative%20Photos%20v01_ERA26LA154-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 418 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20378388&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_N15VM_ERA26LA154_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.