Beech A36 accident near Cleveland, Texas, December 2, 2021
On December 2, 2021 at about 8:15 pm local time, a 1990 Beech A36, registered N8038Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Cleveland, Texas (Cleveland Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, the reason for which could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 2021 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Cleveland, Texas · Cleveland Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36, built 1990 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N8038Z · registry record · serial E-2568
- 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 while in cruise flight, the airplane’s engine lost power suddenly. He noted that he was not in the process of changing or manipulating any controls when the power loss occurred. The pilot reported that the fuel flow to the engine dropped and the engine lost power, which is supported by engine monitor data. The pilot’s attempts to restore fuel flow and restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot realized that he would not be able to reach the airport he had selected and redirected the airplane toward a nearby highway. During the landing flare on the highway, the right-wing tip struck a road sign. The airplane exited the highway and came to rest nose down in a ditch which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During recovery of the airplane, 22 gallons of fuel were recovered from the right-wing fuel tanks, and 26 gallons were recovered from the left-wing fuel tanks. Postaccident examination of the airplane and an engine test run were performed. The engine ran normally and no reason for the interruption of fuel flow was discovered. Based on the available information, the airplane’s engine lost power due to a fuel flow interruption for reasons that 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
- Fuel starvation during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,868 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-B (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kjk Enterprises LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 3R7 Jennings LA
- Destination: JCT Junction TX
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 300 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 2:14 am from KCXO, 19 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCXO 020814Z AUTO 00000KT 4SM BR SCT003 09/08 A3015 RMK AO2 T00890083
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 3, 2023. 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 | Record of Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Run Notes | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Recorder Specialist Factual Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Jpi Engine Monitor Tabular Data | data file | 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.