Beech S35 accident near Tallahassee, Florida, December 7, 2021
On December 7, 2021 at about 12:57 pm local time, a 1964 Beech S35, registered N80YD, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Tallahassee, Florida (Tallahassee Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to a lack of oil lubrication.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 7, 2021 · about 12:57 pm local time
- Place
- Tallahassee, Florida · Tallahassee Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beech S35, built 1964 · all S35s on the register
- Registration
- N80YD · no longer on the register · serial D-7394
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during a cross-country flight under instrument flight rules, he smelled burning oil. The engine oil pressure decreased to zero and the pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control. While diverting to a nearby airport, smoke began to enter the cabin before the engine lost all power. The airplane descended through the clouds and the pilot attempted to perform a forced landing to a dirt road, but impacted trees during the landing, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the left ruddervator. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed evidence of lubrication distress that ultimately resulted in the failure of three of the engine’s six connecting rods. Based on this evidence and the pilot’s description that a burning oil smell and loss of oil pressure preceded the loss of engine power, it is likely that the engine began to leak oil at some point during the flight; however, the reason for or source of the oil leak was not determined.
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 enroute defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 860 hours in all; 345 in this make and model; 146 in the last 90 days; 66 in the last 30 days; 840 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 15, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 3,612 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BA3 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: James Hunt / Aeromed Transport Co
The flight
- Departed from: PIE St Petersburg FL at 11:24 am
- Destination: CSG Columbus GA
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 0.2 statute miles
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 am from TLH, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTLH 071253Z 00000KT 1/4SM FG VV002 14/14 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP186 T01390139
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA22LA082.