Beech E33 accident near Greeley, Colorado, September 26, 2012
On September 26, 2012 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Beech E33, registered N7133N, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Greeley, Colorado (Greeley-Weld County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations and testing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 26, 2012 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Greeley, Colorado · Greeley-Weld County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech E33 · all E33s on the register
- Registration
- N7133N · registry record · serial CD-1137
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before the flight, a mechanic assisted the pilot with adjusting the engine mixture settings during several engine starts and run-ups. The pilot was satisfied with the adjustments and proceeded with the local test flight. Witnesses reported observing the airplane climb out normally and then start to circle the airport. The airplane then descended toward the airport as the pilot declared an emergency due to engine problems. The pilot landed the airplane in a plowed field with the gear up, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that may have contributed to the reported loss of power. Additionally, the slave propeller was replaced, and the engine was test run on the airframe up to full power with no anomalies noted except for slight fuel flow indicator fluctuations.
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 approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,190 hours in all; 450 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: October 7, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: All Seasons Window Cleaning INC
The flight
- Departed from: GXY Greeley CO at 10:50 pm
- Destination: GXY Greeley CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from GXY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on May 26, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Mechanic Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Airport Incident Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for the Record - Engine Exam and Test Run | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.