Beech B35 accident near Orange, Texas, May 2, 2015
On May 2, 2015 at about 3:15 pm local time, a 1950 Beech B35, registered N5176C, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Orange, Texas. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The impact with power lines for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 2, 2015 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Orange, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B35 NO SERIES, built 1950 · all B35s on the register
- Registration
- N5176C · no longer on the register · serial D-2375
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after the private pilot and flight instructor took off on a local training flight several witnesses reported seeing the airplane's wings rocking back and forth just before the airplane struck power lines and then terrain. None of these witnesses reported hearing a loss of engine power. Neither of the pilots recalled the events leading up to the accident or the accident itself. Witness marks on the airplane and propeller were consistent with an impact with power lines. Signatures on the propeller were consistent with little to no engine power at the time of the impact with the power lines; however, investigators were unable to determine if the pilot reduced engine power, or if the engine lost power, before impact. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was determined to be 100 lbs over gross weight (about 2,751 lbs) at the time of takeoff. Calculations using the airplane's performance charts and the weather conditions that existed at the time of the accident indicated that the airplane had sufficient runway available to clear a 50-ft obstacle at a gross weight of 2,600 pounds. It is unknown how significantly the airplane's overweight condition would have impacted the airplane's climb performance.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 891.5 hours in all; 5.8 in this make and model; 5.8 in the last 90 days; 5.8 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 23, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 15,620 hours in all; 5.8 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,099.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 12, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 2,553 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledine Continental Motors E-225-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KORG Orange TX at 3:15 pm
- Destination: KORG Orange TX
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from KORG, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.