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 October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 1999 · about 9:30 pm local time
- 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.
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.