Beech G35 accident near Ennis, Texas, January 18, 1999
On January 18, 1999 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Beech G35, registered N4662D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ennis, Texas (Ennis Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Flutter of the empennage for an undetermined reason, which resulted in damage to the aft fuselage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 18, 1999 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Ennis, Texas · Ennis Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech G35 · all G35s on the register
- Registration
- N4662D · registry record · serial D4862
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, the airplane was traveling approximately 180 mph, at 2300 rpm and 20-23 inches of manifold pressure (mp), in a wings level descent. While descending through 2,500 feet, the pilot felt a minor vibration in the yoke and rudder pedals, which persisted between three and five seconds. The pilot reduced power (approximately two or three inches of mp), the airplane decelerated to 160 mph and the vibration ceased. The airplane's never exceed airspeed (Vne) is 202 mph, and the maximum cruise speed (Vno) is 176 mph. Examination of the airplane revealed that the aft fuselage sustained damage between the FS 233.5 and FS 256.9 bulkheads. The lower longerons were buckled. The belly skin located at FS 256.9 bulkhead was separated from the fuselage. The damage was consistent with symmetric downward overload. The ruddervators were checked and determined to be properly balanced.
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: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 75 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,635 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 1998; 72 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,775 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E225-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BAZ New Braunfels TX at 8:00 pm
- Destination: F41
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 3,999 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from CRS, 23 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.