Beech K35 accident near Lantana, Florida, May 6, 2009
On May 6, 2009 at about 3:25 pm local time, a Beech K35, registered N111YR, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lantana, Florida (Palm Beach County Park airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to disengagement of the idler gear support pin as a result of improper maintenance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 6, 2009 · about 3:25 pm local time
- Place
- Lantana, Florida · Palm Beach County Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech K35 · all K35s on the register
- Registration
- N111YR · no longer on the register · serial D-6081
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to witnesses, during the initial climb after takeoff and as the airplane reached an altitude of 75 to 100 feet above the ground, the engine ran rough momentarily and then lost power. The airplane entered a right descending turn back toward the airport, where it struck two parked, unoccupied airplanes before impacting the ground and colliding with a tractor-trailer container. Subsequent inspection of the engine revealed that the idler gear support pin was backed-off from its proper mounting position. In addition, the two mounting studs did not contain any mounting hardware, and their respective threads were undamaged. A review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane had been operated for about 2 hours since the engine was disassembled for "extensive engine repair due to spalled cam and lifter bodies," about 5 months prior to the accident, and since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 1 month prior to the accident. An engine test run that was conducted after the idler gear support pin was properly installed did not reveal any other engine anomalies.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,450 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,000 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2009; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors IO-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LNA Lantana FL at 3:30 pm
- Destination: LNA Lantana FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 3,421 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from PBI, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.