Beech 35 accident near Canyon Lake, Texas, September 7, 2020
On September 7, 2020 at about 5:47 pm local time, a 1956 Beech 35, registered N4636D, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Canyon Lake, Texas (Canyon Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for a reason that could not be determined based on available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 7, 2020 · about 5:47 pm local time
- Place
- Canyon Lake, Texas · Canyon Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35 G35, built 1956 · all 35s on the register
- Registration
- N4636D · no longer on the register · serial D-4801
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane’s engine lost all power shortly after he switched fuel tanks in preparation for landing. Attempts to restart, which included selecting the other fuel tanks, were unsuccessful. The airplane was damaged when it struck trees and terrain during the subsequent forced landing. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s engine and fuel system failed to reveal a reason for the reported loss of engine power. Based on available evidence, the accident was the result of a total loss of engine power for a reason that could not be determined based on available information.
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 enroute
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,372 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 15, 2020
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,556 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 10, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,775 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: FST Fort Stockton TX
- Destination: 34TS Canyon Lake TX
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from BAZ, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on May 19, 2022. 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 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Maintenance Record Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Information | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Examination Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | 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.