Beech C35 accident near Lone Grove, Oklahoma, September 25, 1999
On September 25, 1999 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Beech C35, registered N5818C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lone Grove, Oklahoma. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. Factors were the fences struck during the takeoff, the tall grass, rising terrain, and a tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 1999 · about 9:30 pm local time · cases in 1999
- Place
- Lone Grove, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech C35 · all C35s on the register
- Registration
- N5818C · registry record · serial D-2770
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight, with the fuel selector positioned to the left fuel tank, the engine lost power. An attempt to select the right fuel tank and restart the engine was unsuccessful, and a successful forced landing to a field was accomplished. After the pilot selected the right fuel tank and started the engine, he attempted a short field downwind takeoff uphill in 18-inch tall weeds; however, the airplane 'could not gain enough speed to keep flying.' The airplane traveled uphill 165 yards, struck a barbed wire fence, continued 70 yards and struck another fence. The airplane then traveled 35 yards to a ravine, crossed over the 45-foot wide ravine and continued for another 25 yards before coming to a stop upright. The pilot's takeoff heading was 030 degrees, and the wind was from 130 degrees at 10 knots.
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
- Flight time: 240 hours in all; 240 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 16, 1999
- Maximum gross weight: 2,700 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-225-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: DUC Duncan OK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from ADM, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N5818C on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Beechcraft C35 258 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Beechcraft 6 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Continental E-225-8 7 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Halliburton Field · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Oklahoma 1,300 since 1982 · 181 in the last ten years
- Oklahoma 5,655 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/FTW99LA266.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.