Beech V35 accident near Deltaville, Virginia, November 24, 2020
On November 24, 2020 at about 2:28 pm local time, a 1966 Beech V35, registered N35AW, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering near Deltaville, Virginia. 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
An uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain following an in-flight collision with seagulls.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 24, 2020 · about 2:28 pm local time
- Place
- Deltaville, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35, built 1966 · all V35s on the register
- Registration
- N35AW · no longer on the register · serial D-9069
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed on a personal local flight to test the autopilot system. Two fishermen reported seeing the airplane fly through a flock of seagulls, followed by two birds falling to the water. A third witness stated that he heard a loud noise, then saw the airplane make a left turn followed by two spirals before it impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. No avian remains were discovered during the postaccident examination; however, it is likely that any remains that may have been present would have been consumed by the significant post-impact fire. Based on the witness statements, it is likely that the airplane collided with birds inflight, after which the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent into terrain.
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
- Birdstrike during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all
- Last flight review: June 9, 2020
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,663.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 2, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-520-B Seri (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: W75 Saluda VA at 2:05 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.40 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 am from KMFV, 29 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMFV 241435Z AUTO 01010KT 10SM CLR 08/M03 A3040 RMK AO2 T00841028
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on September 28, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot's Logbook | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Wreckage Examination | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Autopsy Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 11 | ADS-B Tabular Data | spreadsheet | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.