Beech H35 accident near Monroe, Louisiana, June 3, 2014
On June 3, 2014 at about 3:55 pm local time, a 1957 Beech H35, registered N653T, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Monroe, Louisiana (Monroe Regional airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2014 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Monroe, Louisiana · Monroe Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech H35, built 1957 · all H35s on the register
- Registration
- N653T · no longer on the register · serial D-4998
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was conducting a maintenance test flight. According to Federal Aviation Administration audio files, the pilot reported to an air traffic controller that the airplane was experiencing an unspecified fuel problem. The engine then experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot conducted a forced landing, during which the airplane collided with a tree and then impacted a parking lot. A postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and fuel system did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A review of data obtained from the airplane's engine data monitoring system did not reveal any unusual engine readings before the loss of engine power. At the accident site, fuel was drained from each wing tank and a fuel line leading to the engine; the fuel from the fuel line was orange. Testing of the orange fuel sample revealed the presence of silicon. The tank seals and lines were intact, and the source of the silicon could not be determined. No silicon nor any white powdery deposits (the expected combustion byproducts of silicon) were found on any of the engine components. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during approach defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,475.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 19, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 2,903 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental O-470-G-CI (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MLU Monroe LA at 3:20 pm
- Destination: MLU Monroe LA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,200 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KMLU
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN14LA273.