Beech 35-A33 accident near Mineral Wells, Texas, July 23, 2021
On July 23, 2021 at about 12:45 pm local time, a Beech 35-A33, registered N5ML, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Mineral Wells, Texas (Mineral Wells Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2021 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Mineral Wells, Texas · Mineral Wells Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35-A33, built 1060 · all 35-A33s on the register
- Registration
- N5ML · no longer on the register · serial CD-225
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After a normal takeoff, the pilot encountered low clouds en route to his destination. He diverted to a nearby airport and avoided the clouds as he descended toward the airport. He entered a downwind for the runway and reduced the engine to a low power setting. After turning final, the pilot attempted to add power; however, the engine did not respond. He manipulated the throttle several times, but the engine did not increase from idle power. The pilot initiated a landing to a nearby field. The airplane touched down hard, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest. During an on-scene examination, the fuel selector was found positioned on the left tank. About 3 inches of fuel was observed in the right-wing fuel tank, and no visible fuel was noted in the left-wing fuel tank. During a discussion with the pilot, he reported that the airplane was on the right fuel tank when the loss of power occurred. After recovery, a temporary fuel tank was connected to the fuel line at the left-wing root to facilitate an engine run. The airplane started and operated uneventfully at various engine speeds with no anomalies noted. Since the engine operated normally postaccident, and fuel was present in the right fuel tank, it is likely the engine was starved of fuel during the accident flight, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
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 (partial) during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 782 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-520-BB (piston); 4,514 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: XS53 Weatherford TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 5,996 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,900 ft; clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 am from KMWL, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMWL 231253Z AUTO 14007KT 10SM BKN019 OVC024 23/21 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP182 T02330211
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on September 1, 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 | Pilot Statement - Provided to the Federal Aviation Administration | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Passenger Statement - Provided to the Federal Aviation Administration | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Memorandum, FAA on Scene | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Run Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Video - A Portion of the Engine Run | video | View Download |
| 6 | 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.