Beech 35 accident near Knox, Indiana, August 4, 2018
On August 4, 2018 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1958 Beech 35, registered N533JW, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Knox, Indiana (Starke County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 2018 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Knox, Indiana · Starke County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35 J35, built 1958 · all 35s on the register
- Registration
- N533JW · no longer on the register · serial D-5696
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot and three passengers were on a cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane. About 10 miles from the destination airport, the pilot switched to the fullest fuel tank, entered the traffic pattern, and reduced the throttle to slow the airplane. While on final approach, he advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot turned the boost pump on to "emergency – high," but the engine still did not respond. Shortly after, the pilot turned the boost pump off and conducted a forced landing in a field, during which the engine was bent downward from the firewall and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The on-site examination found sufficient fuel available in each of the wing fuel tanks. Additionally, fuel was present in the fuel lines near the engine's fuel manifold. A detailed engine examination and download of the engine monitor were conducted after airplane recovery. A review of the engine data for the day of the accident found three files. The last file corresponded to the accident flight, and the monitor indicated 30.4 gallons used. The pilot reported the fuel at last takeoff was 33 gallons. The engine examination did not find any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although data from the engine monitor indicated that the airplane was very low on fuel, the on-site examination showed various levels of fuel available in the fuel tanks. Thus, it is likely that the airplane's engine monitor did not accurately reflect the airplane's correct fuel state. Based on the available evidence, 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 approach defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 512 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 497 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,368 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 29, 2018
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continential IO-470 (piston); 4,730 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C75 Lacon IL at 7:00 pm
- Destination: OXI Knox IN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 4,401 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KMHE, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on July 25, 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Notes | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Monitor Data (Last File) | data file | Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 3 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.