Beech 35-B33 accident near Tucumcari, New Mexico, August 31, 2007
On August 31, 2007 at about 6:52 pm local time, a Beech 35-B33, registered N2133B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tucumcari, New Mexico. 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 pilot's failure to properly set the mixture prior to departing in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and degraded climb capability.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 31, 2007 · about 6:52 pm local time
- Place
- Tucumcari, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35-B33 · all 35-B33s on the register
- Registration
- N2133B · no longer on the register · serial CD-563
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to departure, the airplane's fuel tanks were topped off with fuel, and the pilot "thought he adjusted his mixture control." The pilot reported that during the takeoff, he noticed no problems. During the gear retraction, the engine started to "act up." The pilot stated that the "act up" was not a sputtering or unusual noise, but that "the engine wasn't making the power that [I] expected." The pilot adjusted the mixture control to different lean and rich positions, with no change to engine power noted. The pilot then attempted a forced landing to a nearby interstate highway; however due to vehicle traffic, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. Subsequently, the airplane touched down in a field with the landing gear retracted approximately 1 1/2 miles south of airport. Examination of the airplane revealed the right side of the fuselage was crushed upward and aft, and the right wing was bent. The propeller assembly and crankshaft propeller flange were separated from the crankshaft. The engine had accumulated 250 hours since major overhaul. Examination of the engine revealed mechanical continuity throughout the engine when the crankshaft was manually rotated. Continuity was established for the airframe and engine fuel system. The magnetos and wire harnesses were functionally tested and no anomalies were noted. Continuity was established from the cockpit to the throttle assembly, propeller governor, and mixture control. No anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal engine operation prior to impact.
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
- Flight time: 518 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: December 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,604 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2006; 250 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental IO-470-N (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TCC Tucumcari NM at 6:50 pm
- Destination: MKO Muskogee OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from TCC, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.