Beech A36 accident near El Paso, Texas, July 4, 2017
On July 4, 2017 at about 2:06 am local time, a 1980 Beech A36, registered N24LF, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near El Paso, Texas (El Paso International Airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2017 · about 2:06 am local time
- Place
- El Paso, Texas · El Paso International Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 UNDESIGNAT, built 1980 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N24LF · registry record · serial E-1665
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb after takeoff for a non-scheduled cargo flight, the engine experienced a partial loss of power and the commercial pilot reversed course to return to the airport. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot landed the airplane in a field, during which it sustained substantial damage. An examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Thermal damage was noted on the lower left side of the engine near the turbocharger. Examination of the turbocharger and housing revealed thermal damage and erosion within the turbocharger housing. Further, the turbocharger had been reconfigured with a different compressor housing and the addition of wear washers. The erosion of the turbocharger housing and induction wye was likely caused by excessive internal turbine temperatures. This erosion would have reduced performance, but likely would not have resulted in the airplane's ability to climb or maintain flight. The reconfiguration of the turbocharger with the wear washers likely would result in the abnormal wear of the bearings and subsequent instability and rub, but would not have precluded normal operation.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (climb to cruise)
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Related operating info
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,085.5 hours in all; 206.6 in this make and model; 212.6 in the last 90 days; 101.5 in the last 30 days; 1,004.2 as pilot in command; 569.7 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 2, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,899.3 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, June 9, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 3,780 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: T.C.M. IO-520-BB87B (piston); 470 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KELP El Paso TX at 2:00 am
- Destination: KDAL Dallas TX
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 1:51 am from KELP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Jpi Data Graphs | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.