Beech V35 accident near Engelwood, Colorado, March 16, 2025
On March 16, 2025 at about 11:41 pm local time, a 1969 Beech V35, registered N7987R, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Engelwood, Colorado (Centennial Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. 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
- March 16, 2025 · about 11:41 pm local time
- Place
- Engelwood, Colorado · Centennial Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35 A, built 1969 · all V35s on the register
- Registration
- N7987R · registry record · serial D-8975
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 16, 2025, at 1741 mountain daylight time, a Beech V35 airplane, N7987R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Englewood, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot noticed an alternator caution light and corresponding indication on his primary flight display (PFD) while enroute to his destination. He performed electrical load shedding procedures and arrived at his destination with enough remaining battery power to maintain radio communications and extend the landing gear and flaps. The pilot reported that the landing was normal in all respects, to include the gear indicator light, until the right main landing gear collapsed followed by the collapse of the front and then the left main landing gear. The airplane departed the runway and impacted a taxiway sign and taxi light, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. Security camera video was obtained that showed the landing gear were extended before touchdown and the initial landing roll appeared normal before the landing gear collapse. The airplane was retained for further examination.
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
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Electrical system malf/failure during enroute (cruise)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,230 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Hopeful Monster LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KBFI Seattle WA at 6:48 pm
- Destination: KAPA Engelwood CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 35L, 7,001 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 9 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 22,000 ft; a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KAPA
Weather report (METAR): KAPA 162353Z 29009G23KT 270V340 10SM FEW070 FEW160 BKN220 16/M12 A2988 RMK AO2 PK WND 28030/2333 SLP100 ACSL DSNT W T01611117 10167 20089 53001
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.