Beech K35 accident near Cambridge, Minnesota, September 4, 2025
On September 4, 2025 at about 4:05 pm local time, a 1959 Beech K35, registered N6021E, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Cambridge, Minnesota (Cambridge Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2025 · about 4:05 pm local time
- Place
- Cambridge, Minnesota · Cambridge Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech K35 NO SERIES, built 1959 · all K35s on the register
- Registration
- N6021E · registry record · serial D-5919
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On September 4, 2025, about 1105 central daylight time, a Beech K35 airplane, N6021E, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Cambridge, Minnesota. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A preliminary review of ADS-B data showed that the pilot, who is also the airplane owner, departed in the airplane at 1052 from the Anoka County/Blaine Airport (ANE), Minneapolis, Minnesota. The airplane flew to the north with the intention to land at the Cambridge Municipal Airport (CBG), Cambridge, Minnesota, which is a non-towered airport. The ADS-B data terminated about 2.38 miles to the south of the approach end of runway 34 at CBG. The airplane came to rest upright in a grass field just to the north of runway 16 at CBG. The location of the airplane was about 0.37 miles from the approach end of runway 16. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Onsite examination of the airframe confirmed flight control cable continuity. The main landing gear and flaps were found retracted. The pitch trim was found at 10°, trim tab down. The fuel selector valve was found in the auxiliary fuel tank position. About 18 gallons of fuel was recovered from the right wing main fuel tank and about one gallon of fuel was recovered from the right wing auxiliary fuel tank. Due to the impact damage sustained, no fuel was recovered from the left wing main fuel tank and the left wing auxiliary fuel tank. The strainer was removed, and no debris was found in the strainer. About two ounces of fuel were recovered from the strainer. No debris or water contamination was noted in the fuel that was recovered from the airframe. For the onsite examination of the engine, the engine-driven fuel injection pump was removed, the pump drive coupling was found intact with no noted damage, the flexible fuel lines were removed from the pump, with the hose supplying fuel from the firewall to the fuel pump fractured at the fuel pump fitting. All hoses were noted to be nearly free of fuel, only trace amounts of fuel were found. The fuel metering valve and finger screen were found intact with the finger screen being free of contamination and a lack of fuel in the entire metering valve. The fuel manifold was disassembled, the screen was found free of contamination, and no fuel was found in the sediment area of the manifold. No fuel leaks were observed on the engine and no loose fuel line b-nuts were found. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site, and it was transported to a secure location. A J.P. Instruments EDM 830 unit and Sentry ADS-B unit were secured and transported to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory. The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors IO-470-C reciprocating engine and a Beech 278-100-7 two-blade constant speed aluminum propeller. According to the Beech K35 Pilot’s Operating Handbook and FAA-Approved Airplane Flight Manual, the fuel limitations state in part: Use auxiliary fuel in level flight only and do not use for takeoff or landing. Additionally, the fuel selector valve has a required placard, which the accident airplane had installed, for the usage of the auxiliary fuel that states: Level flight only.
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
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: ANE Minneapolis MN at 3:52 pm
- Destination: CBG Cambridge MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16/3, 4,001 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 26,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 am from KCBG, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCBG 041555Z AUTO 26005KT 10SM FEW042 BKN260 BKN280 12/03 A2975 RMK AO2 T01200027 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.
