Beech V35 accident near Union City, Oklahoma, March 24, 2017
On March 24, 2017 at about 8:20 pm local time, a 1978 Beech V35, registered N2053Y, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Union City, Oklahoma. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper recovery from a spin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 24, 2017 · about 8:20 pm local time
- Place
- Union City, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35 B, built 1978 · all V35s on the register
- Registration
- N2053Y · no longer on the register · serial D-10200
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on a local pleasure flight in a single-engine airplane. A witness reported seeing the airplane descending in a "spin" from a high altitude. The airplane impacted terrain and a post-crash fire ensued. A review of radar data showed the airplane's departure from a small airport on a north heading. The airplane reached an altitude of 5,500 ft, before it slowed down. The last radar return was about 9 minutes after the airplane departed and showed the airplane near the accident site at 5,250 ft and 73 knots. The post-crash fire consumed or thermally damaged most of the airplane. The extensive fire and impact damage limited the scope of the examination; however, no pre-impact abnormities were noted with the engine or airframe. The pilot's toxicology test was positive for an over-the-counter pain and an anti-depressant medication; neither medication is considered impairing. However, the possible effects of depression could not be determined from the available evidence. Weather conditions were favorable for the flight. The accident is consistent with the pilot not recovering from the spin; however, a reason for the initial loss of control 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 enroute (cruise)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Mental/emotional state › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 286.5 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 20.2 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,074.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 16, 2017
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550 (piston); 3,234 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Je Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KCHK Chickasha OK at 8:10 pm
- Destination: KPWA Wiley Post OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 22 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observation at 8:35 pm from KCHK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on August 28, 2018. 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 | Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Site Location | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Records Excerpts | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airplane Information Excerpts | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 5 | radar Plots | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | 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.