Beech B36TC accident near Burnet, Texas, December 17, 2023
On December 17, 2023 at about 8:14 pm local time, a 1986 Beech B36TC, registered N70SL, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Burnet, Texas (Burnet Municipal Airport/Kate). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due an overly rich mixture from an improper adjustment of the fuel pump, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with a car and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 17, 2023 · about 8:14 pm local time
- Place
- Burnet, Texas · Burnet Municipal Airport/Kate · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B36TC, built 1986 · all B36TCs on the register
- Registration
- N70SL · registry record · serial EA-459
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated the preflight, engine start, engine runup, and takeoff roll were normal. While climbing through 200 to 300 ft above ground level (agl) after takeoff, the engine began to surge and lose power. Black smoke was seen coming from the airplane’s exhaust during the takeoff and climb. The airplane was unable to climb, and the pilot was unsuccessful using emergency procedures at regaining engine power. The pilot said that the only area suitable for landing that he saw was a road. During the landing, the airplane’s right wing struck a car, and the airplane exploded into flames. The airplane came to rest in a field and was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. Postaccident examination and testing of the engine-driven fuel pump revealed that it was adjusted for a fuel flow that exceeded the maximum limitation for the pump. Symptoms of a rich mixture to include black exhaust smoke and sluggish engine operation, were witnessed during the airplane’s takeoff and climb.
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 initial climb defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Not specified
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel pumps › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,600 hours in all; 230 in the last 90 days; 85 in the last 30 days; 11,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO520-UB (piston); 3,321 hours total
- Fire in flight and on the ground
The flight
- Destination: CXO Conroe TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 5,001 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from BMQ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on April 1, 2025. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Video of Accident Takeoff | MOV file | Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 32 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Memorandum for Record A�� NTSB Factual Review Continental Aerospace Technologies | 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.
Other NTSB records under N70SL the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.