Beech K35 accident near Longmont, Colorado, January 13, 2018
On January 13, 2018 at about 11:39 pm local time, a 1959 Beech K35, registered N803R, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Longmont, Colorado (Vance Brand 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
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 13, 2018 · about 11:39 pm local time
- Place
- Longmont, Colorado · Vance Brand · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech K35, built 1959 · all K35s on the register
- Registration
- N803R · registry record · serial D-6003
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After returning to the airport from a local orientation flight, the airline transport pilot completed two touch-and-go landings. During the initial climb after the second touch-and-go, the engine began running roughly and then experienced a total loss of power about 300 ft above ground level; the pilot did not notice anything unusual with the instruments. He descended for a forced landing, flared the airplane, and then landed hard in a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the reason for the total 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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 10,574 hours in all; 33.2 in this make and model; 204.1 in the last 90 days; 63 in the last 30 days; 2,026 as pilot in command; 81 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 17, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,633.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 10, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,903 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-470-C (piston); 3,634 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LMO Longmont CO at 10:51 pm
- Destination: LMO Longmont CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 4,799 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
14 documents, released by the NTSB on June 24, 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Data Monitor - Factual Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Data Monitor - Attachment 1 - Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 5 | Engine Data Monitor - Attachment 2 - Graphs | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Fuel Information | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Correspondence - Owner | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Witness Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Maintenance Records - Annual Inspection | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Continental Motors Engine Examination | PDF, 27 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 13 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 14 | Evidence Control Form | 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.
Other NTSB records under N803R the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.