Beech V35 accident near Shoreham, New York, March 17, 2023
On March 17, 2023 at about 6:14 pm local time, a 1966 Beech V35, registered N5616S, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Shoreham, New York. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for unknown reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 17, 2023 · about 6:14 pm local time
- Place
- Shoreham, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35, built 1966 · all V35s on the register
- Registration
- N5616S · registry record · serial D-8158
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and pilot-rated passenger departed on a local flight; about 20 minutes into the flight the engine started to lose power. The pilot attempted to regain power, but the engine did not respond. He noticed the ocean tide was low, so he elected to land on the beach. The airplane landed hard and veered into the water, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation; however, the airplane was submerged in ocean salt water for a day before it was removed, resulting in heavy corrosion throughout the engine.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 20, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,000 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 10, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 5,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 450 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HWV Shirely NY at 4:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.64 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from KHWV, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHWV 171856Z AUTO 18012G20KT 10SM CLR 10/05 A2964 RMK AO2 PRESFR SLP038 T01000050
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 16, 2024. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Mechanic's Engine Examination Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View 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.