Beech A36 accident near Page, Arizona, May 7, 1996
On May 7, 1996 at about 6:48 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N100YJ, was destroyed in an accident near Page, Arizona (Page Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 2 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 inadequate compensation for a gusty crosswind condition, and his failure to obtain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff initial climb in a high density altitude situation, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. Related factors were: the pilot's improper preflight by failing to secure the door, his diverted attention with the door opening at rotation, and the use of the air conditioner during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 7, 1996 · about 6:48 pm local time
- Place
- Page, Arizona · Page Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N100YJ · no longer on the register · serial E-1790
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the passenger door came open during takeoff in a crosswind condition that was gusting to 21 knots. The density altitude was 6,950 feet, and the runway in use sloped uphill 1.22 percent. The pilot said that a tremendous gust caused him to crash about 600 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Witnesses observed the aircraft takeoff in a nose high attitude and settle back to the runway once or twice before disappearing off the end of the runway. An FAA inspector reported that there were skid marks on the runway where the aircraft lifted off, showing that it drifted to the left while yawed to the right. The inspector also reported that he found the landing gear extended and the air conditioner switch in the 'on' position. According to the Airplane Flight Manual, the air conditioner must be 'off' for takeoff.
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: 1,915 hours in all; 1,672 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 1,706 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,464 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 7, 1995; 69 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-B(1) (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PGA at 6:48 pm
- Destination: LAS Las Vegas NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 5,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 21 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:58 pm from GCN, 68 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.