Beech A36TC accident near Kalamazoo, Michigan, October 27, 2009
On October 27, 2009 at about 12:42 pm local time, a Beech A36TC, registered CFFIH, was destroyed in an accident during takeoff near Kalamazoo, Michigan (Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2009 · about 12:42 pm local time
- Place
- Kalamazoo, Michigan · Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36TC · all A36TCs on the register
- Registration
- CFFIH · no longer on the register · serial EA258
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses and global positioning system data indicated that after takeoff the airplane tracked the runway centerline and climbed approximately 150 feet above ground level before turning to the right and descending. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground, a fence, and a pole about 1,400 feet from the departure end of the runway. A postimpact fire ensued. After acknowledging the takeoff clearance, no further communications were received from the accident airplane. Examination of the airplane’s structure, flight controls, engine controls, and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure. The engine manufacturer had issued a Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) that was applicable to the accident airplane’s engine. The airplane’s engine was disassembled in order to replace components damaged during the impact sequence. During the disassembly the valve lifters that were the subject of the MSB were examined and found to have pitting. However, the engine was reassembled with the original valve lifters for a functional test run and during the test run the engine produced full rated power and no anomalies were noted. Data retrieved from an engine monitoring system installed on the accident airplane recorded a significant reduction in engine power during the accident takeoff. The monitoring system did not record throttle, mixture, or propeller control positions and the data was consistent with normal power reductions recorded during the landing phase of previous flights. No mechanical reason for the loss of engine power was found.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Explosion (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,167 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 28, 2009; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,650 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO-520-UB (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: AZO Kalamazoo MI at 12:40 pm
- Destination: CYQA Muskoka, On
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 35, 6,502 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,000 ft; a few clouds at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from AZO, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.