Beech A36 accident near Mckenzie, Tennessee, August 12, 1995
On August 12, 1995 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N26774, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mckenzie, Tennessee (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to comply with the performance data for the aircraft in his attempt to takeoff, downwind, from the short sod runway, with high density altitude, and with the aircraft weight in excess of the maximum gross weight allowed.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 12, 1995 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Mckenzie, Tennessee · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N26774 · no longer on the register · serial E2316
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH ON THE 2,200 FOOT SOD AIRSTRIP. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 150 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 33 DEGREES CELSIUS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 2,822 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 122 POUNDS OVER THE MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT FOR THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK SHOWED THE MINIMUM DISTANCE REQUIRED TO CLEAR A 50 FOOT OBSTACLE FOR THESE CONDITIONS TO BE IN EXCESS OF 3,000 FEET. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT NEVER CLIMBED OVER 12 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AFTER LIFTOFF. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,775 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 7:29 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from MKL, 35 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.