Beech A36 accident near Laredo, Texas, March 21, 2009
On March 21, 2009 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N8120R, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Laredo, Texas (Laredo International airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The certificated flight instructor's improper fuel management resulting in an engine failure due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to properly complete the restart checklist.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 21, 2009 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Laredo, Texas · Laredo International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N8120R · no longer on the register · serial E-583
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While in the traffic pattern, the fuel in the airplane's left wing tank was depleted resulting in a complete loss of engine power. The certified flight instructor (CFI) directed the non-rated passenger sitting in the left seat to position the fuel selector valve to the right tank. The CFI did not accomplish the restart checklist in accordance with the pilot's operating handbook. Engine power was not restored, and the CFI elected to perform a forced landing to an apartment parking lot. The airplane was substantially damaged during the gear-up landing. An examination of the airframe, engine, and fuel selector valve failed to reveal any pre-impact anomaly which would have precluded a restart of the engine.
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
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Ground collision during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incomplete action › Instructor/check pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Instructor/check pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,340 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 3,055 as pilot in command; 820 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 6, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 5, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550B (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Yvoden INC
The flight
- Departed from: LRD Laredo TX at 8:30 pm
- Destination: LRD Laredo TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17L, 7,830 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 17 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 pm from LRD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.