Beech V35B accident near Anderson, Indiana, August 15, 2004
On August 15, 2004 at about 8:28 pm local time, a Beech V35B, registered N6411S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Anderson, Indiana (Anderson Municipal-Darlington airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The in-flight loss of engine power during downwind for undetermined reasons. A factor was the tree the airplane impacted during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 2004 · about 8:28 pm local time
- Place
- Anderson, Indiana · Anderson Municipal-Darlington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35B · all V35Bs on the register
- Registration
- N6411S · no longer on the register · serial D-9835
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power while on downwind. The pilot's accident report stated, "The plane had been out of service for 3 weeks for it's normal annual inspection. Over the past few weeks I had had several conversations regarding the maintenance necessary since a cylinder (#2) had to be replaced. The mechanic ... had reported oil leaks and difficulty resolving them. I was told the aircraft had been signed-off and released to fly that morning (8/15). And that it had been adequately tested. ... Run-up was normal and temps (cylinder & head) were okay. ... Take-off was normal and the plane was making full power. I climbed to pattern attitude while turning left downwind. When I reduced power about mid-field, the engine ran fine at first but then began missing. I checked the mixture setting and confirmed full rich. I then applied more power and the engine responded but quickly sputtered. I noticed cylinder temps were high and switched fuel tanks. During this process, I alerted the tower I was having an engine problem and he cleared me for a landing on Runway 12. I had already initiated a turn to the field and lowered the gear. The engine was turning, but not making power. Continuing emergency procedures, I held the aircraft level and made best gliding speed. Gear was down but flaps were not extended. I saw that I was not going to make the field and notified the tower. I flew into the tops of a clump of trees on the north side of [Indiana State Road] 32 and the plane spun (rotated) to the left and settled into a spot next to the road and a bridge." The engine was shipped to its manufacturer and was test run. The engine produced rated power. The airplane's flight manual, in part, stated, "The most probable cause of engine failure would be loss of fuel flow or improper functioning of the ignition system."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 912 hours in all; 427 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 869 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 19, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,325 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 15, 2004; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AID Anderson IN at 8:28 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 5,400 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observation at 8:30 pm from AID, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.