Beech A36 accident near Rockdale, Texas, May 26, 2014
On May 26, 2014 at about 9:40 pm local time, a 1979 Beech A36, registered N188DP, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Rockdale, Texas (H.H. Coffield Regional). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident testing revealed no anomalies.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 26, 2014 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Rockdale, Texas · H.H. Coffield Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36, built 1979 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N188DP · registry record · serial E-1476
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, about 20 minutes into the flight, the engine sound abruptly changed, and the engine began to lose power. The pilot's attempts to restore power were unsuccessful. An air traffic controller gave the pilot radar vectors to the nearest airport; however, the airplane was unable to glide to the runway, so the pilot made a forced landing on uneven terrain. The right main landing gear did not extend fully before touchdown, and the airplane ground looped, which resulted in the fuselage buckling and the outboard portion of the right wing being torn off. The engine was test run at all power settings, and no anomalies were noted.
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 enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 513 hours in all; 139 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 436 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 24, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,360 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BB87 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Pilots Choice Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: KUTS Huntsville TX at 11:25 pm
- Destination: KGTU Georgetown TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,500 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 10:25 pm from GTU, 41 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on March 9, 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 | NTSB Form 6120, Operator’s Accident Report | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Form 6120, Pilot’s Accident Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot’s Statement | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Additional Information from Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Continental Motors Engine Field Run Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Run Sheet | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | E-mail from William Tuccio | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Photo 1 – N188DP at the Accident Site and Tire Tracks. Note Severed Left Tip Tank | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photo 2 – Propeller Blade | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Photo 3 – Fuel Selector | 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.