Beech A36 accident near Fort Worth, Texas, January 27, 2019
On January 27, 2019 at about 10:34 pm local time, a 1977 Beech A36, registered N36PS, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Fort Worth, Texas (Fort Worth Meacham Internation 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 improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 27, 2019 · about 10:34 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Worth, Texas · Fort Worth Meacham Internation · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36, built 1977 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N36PS · registry record · serial E-1012
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that before departure, both fuel tanks were 3/4 full and that he maintained fuel balance by switching between the left and right tanks "several times" during the flight. As he approached his destination, he requested and received vectors for a practice instrument approach to a nearby airport but then requested termination of the approach and said he would proceed to his original destination. Shortly after the airplane climbed to 1,500 ft (900 ft above ground level), the engine lost power. The pilot switched the fuel selector "to the other tank" and attempted to restart the engine to no avail. He stated that he did not turn on the electric boost pump (as required in the emergency checklist) and that the airplane was too low to the ground for him to reference the emergency checklist. He lowered the landing gear but did not lower the flaps for landing. The airplane touched down on soft earth, and the nose gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the nose. An unknown quantity of fuel was drained from the left tank, and the right tank was empty. The fuel that was sumped from the airplane's left tank appeared to be clear, bright, and free of contaminants. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were noted with the engine or fuel system that would have precluded normal operations. It is likely the engine lost power due to fuel starvation and the pilot failed to switch fuel tanks before exhausting the fuel in the right tank.
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
- Fuel related during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: gyroplane; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instructor: powered-lift; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; instrument: powered-lift; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,290 hours in all; 320 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 4,005 as pilot in command; 161 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 5, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,300 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 15, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 3,651 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental (piston); 1,700 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AXX Angel Fire NM at 8:00 pm
- Destination: GKY Arlington TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 7,502 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 10:45 pm from FTW, 5 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
4 documents, released by the NTSB on February 28, 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Telephone Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Certification of Party Representative to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Report 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.