Beech A-36TC accident near San Rafael, California, June 20, 1986
On June 20, 1986 at about 8:35 pm local time, a Beech A-36TC, registered N3823A, was substantially damaged in an accident near San Rafael, California (Smith Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 1986 · about 8:35 pm local time
- Place
- San Rafael, California · Smith Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A-36TC · all A-36TCs on the register
- Registration
- N3823A · registry record · serial EA-194
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND INITIAL DURING A TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB. HE INDICATED THAT HE MISJUDGED THE STALL BUFFET AS TURBULENT AIRFLOW FROM A CROSSWIND. THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE ACFT STALLED. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THE STALL WARNING DID NOT SOUND. A LOCAL SHEEPHERDER WHO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT THE ACFT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF DOWNWIND.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 387 hours in all; 270 in this make and model; 51 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 250 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 958 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 8, 1986; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,650 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-UB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CA35 San Rafael CA at 8:35 pm
- Destination: TRK Truckee CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 4, 2,100 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:45 pm from APC, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.