Beech A36TC accident near Visalia, California, November 17, 2003
On November 17, 2003 at about 4:15 am local time, a Beech A36TC, registered N52AM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Visalia, California (Visalia airport). It was a personal 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
a 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
- November 17, 2003 · about 4:15 am local time
- Place
- Visalia, California · Visalia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36TC · all A36TCs on the register
- Registration
- N52AM · registry record · serial EA-71
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane landed hard and collided with airport lighting after the engine lost power during a go-around procedure. Earlier that day, the pilot's flight instructor filled the airplane's fuel tanks and flew for 2.2 hours. The pilot then flew the airplane for approximately 2 hours without adding additional fuel. The power loss occurred during the sixth takeoff that day. Post accident examination did not reveal any anomalies with the airframe or engine. According to the manufacturer, the airplane holds 80 gallons of fuel, with 74 gallons that are usable. The two tip tanks on the airplane hold 20 gallons each, for a total system capacity of 120 gallons. The left tank was 1/4 full at the accident scene; the fuel selector was positioned to the left tank. A post accident examination of the engine and the fuel system components did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all; 2,500 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 300 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,363 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 17, 2003; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-UB8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SMX Santa Maria CA at 3:30 am
- Destination: VIS Visalia CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 6,559 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 am from KVIS
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.