Beech BE35 accident near Ozark, Missouri, January 26, 2017
On January 26, 2017 at about 9:25 pm local time, a 1956 Beech BE35, registered N4213B, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Ozark, Missouri (Gimlin Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environment and to maintain sufficient altitude to clear power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 26, 2017 · about 9:25 pm local time
- Place
- Ozark, Missouri · Gimlin Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech BE35, built 1956
- Registration
- N4213B · no longer on the register · serial D-4159
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to gain some experience, with a pilot-rated passenger onboard, in his recently purchased airplane. The pilot reported that, after completing about 10 touch-and-go landings at a nearby airport, he flew the airplane back to his home airport for a full-stop landing. The pilot announced the he was entering a left downwind, reduced the speed, and lowered the landing gear. After turning to final approach, the pilot lowered the flaps and was concentrating on lining up the airplane on the runway centerline. The pilot-rated passenger stated that the airplane was lined up on the runway but that it seemed a little low. The passenger stated that, after passing over a tree line, the pilot surprised him by reducing the power rather than increasing it. Subsequently, the airplane descended into power lines and then impacted the ground and tumbled inverted. The pilot stated that he did not see the power lines nor that he was looking for any because they "had not been a factor" in his previous approaches. The power lines were located about 1/4 mile from the airport. Evidence at the accident site revealed that the airplane had impacted the top two lines of a four-line power line. After the accident, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot failed to adequately monitor the environment and to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the power lines.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during approach
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach defining event
- Roll over during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 237 hours in all; 10 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,675 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 22, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E225-8 (piston); 6,675 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 18MO Ozark MO at 8:30 pm
- Destination: 18MO Ozark MO
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,400 ft; clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 8:52 pm from SGF, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 11, 2019. 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 | Memorandum for the Record - Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for the Record - Pilot Rated Passenger Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 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.