# NTSB ERA26LA289: Beech A36, N9144Q, Weston, CT, July 30, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 30, 2026, 17:56 local (21:56 UTC)
- Place: Weston, CT
- Coordinates: 41.256572, -73.374008 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2566&lon=-73.3740&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 1, 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): 203531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203531/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203531
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA289

## Probable cause

The in-flight opening of the engine cowling, which resulted in engine baffling separating from the airplane and impacting the right elevator.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fuselage: aerodynamic fairings structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035350): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035350/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035350/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he had performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and did not note any deficiency with the engine cowling’s security. About 7 minutes into the flight, the front right engine cowling opened and started flapping. The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control and diverted to a nearby airport where he landed uneventfully. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that engine baffling had separated from the engine compartment and impacted the right elevator resulting in substantial damage. Maintenance personnel examined the airplane after the accident and found that the cowling’s latch mechanism functioned normally with no mechanical irregularities.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9144Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9144Q), registered now, S/N E-250, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-250
- Year built: 1970
- Airframe hours: 5561.1
- Engines: Continental Aerospace Technologies IO-550B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: N9144q LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 2025, 31 hours before
- Departed: HPN, White Plains, NY
- Destination: UUU, Middletown, RI
- Airport: DXR
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 600.7 total, 127.2 in this make and model, 412.1 as pilot in command, 19.1 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: DXR, 8 nm away
- METAR: METAR KDXR 302153Z 31003KT 5SM BR FEW020 SCT033 BKN075 23/21 A2985 RMK AO2 RAB24E44 SLP103 P0007 T02280206

## 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 20260730012159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260730012159A), Jul 30, 2026: Beech A36, Danbury, CT, Substantial damage. On July 30, 2026, at approximately 1700 eastern daylight time, [privacy data omitted] departed westchester county airport (hpn), white plains, new york, bound…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203531. 2.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20852314&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� mechanic interview (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20852239&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Mechanic%20Interview_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20856260&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-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.

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