Beech A35 accident near Morrilton, Arkansas, September 2, 2021
On September 2, 2021 at about 3:45 pm local time, a 1949 Beech A35, registered N8419A, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Morrilton, Arkansas (Morrilton Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 2021 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Morrilton, Arkansas · Morrilton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A35, built 1949 · all A35s on the register
- Registration
- N8419A · no longer on the register · serial D-1854
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger were in the process of flying the recently purchased airplane to the passenger’s home airport. The pilot and passenger flew the airplane twice before the accident flight, and the airplane operated normally. While in cruise flight, about 1.25 hours after departure, the pilot switched from the left fuel tank to the rear auxiliary fuel tank and noted that the fuel pressure was normal. About 7 to 8 minutes later, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot then switched to the right fuel tank and attempted to restart the engine to no avail. He then switched back to the left tank and, after descending through a cloud layer, was again unable to restart the engine. After descending through the clouds, the pilot switched back to the right fuel tank and power was restored for 5 to 10 seconds before all engine power was again lost. The pilot attempted to glide to a nearby airport but had insufficient altitude and executed a forced landing. The airplane impacted trees and became suspended in the trees, incurring substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Both fuel tanks had been breached during impact and determination of fuel quantity was not possible. Based on the available information, the reason for the 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 enroute
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 20, 2021
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,409 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-185 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ADH Ada OK at 2:10 pm
- Destination: SRC Searcy AR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,800 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from KRUE, 20 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KRUE 021553Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM OVC048 27/18 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02720183
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN21LA405.