Beech BE-35 accident near Lancaster, Texas, April 25, 2000
On April 25, 2000 at about 8:05 pm local time, a Beech BE-35, registered N5269C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lancaster, Texas. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 25, 2000 · about 8:05 pm local time
- Place
- Lancaster, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech BE-35
- Registration
- N5269C · no longer on the register · serial D-2663
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the ferry flight to reposition the airplane for an annual inspection at a nearby airport. The pilot reported that the aircraft was 'low fuel in the right tank and he had the fuel selected to the left tank.' No discrepancies, except a low battery, were found during the preflight, engine run-up, or the takeoff/departure climb to 1,000 feet msl. During cruise flight at 1,500 feet msl, the engine began losing power. Pumping the hand operated 'wobble' fuel pump did not restore continuous engine power. During the ensuing forced landing to the field, the right wing struck a pole. Subsequently, the airplane struck power lines before coming to rest in the field. Examination of the aircraft and an engine run did not reveal any discrepancies that would have contributed to a loss of engine power.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 635 hours in all; 99 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 559 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,772 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 16, 1998; 14 hours since
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-225-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RBD Dallas TX at 7:50 pm
- Destination: LNC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from RBD, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.