Beech N35 accident near Payson, Arizona, February 2, 1997
On February 2, 1997 at about 4:50 pm local time, a Beech N35, registered N61DE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Payson, Arizona (Payson airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people 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
- February 2, 1997 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Payson, Arizona · Payson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech N35 · all N35s on the register
- Registration
- N61DE · registry record · serial D6765
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed for a 20-minute-long flight with nearly full fuel tanks. During the flight, no unusual sounds or vibrations were noted. The pilot arrived at the destination airport, entered the downwind leg, lowered the landing gear, and went through the 'GUMP' check list. According to the pilot, when he attempted to increase engine power the engine did not respond, and the airplane continued descending. The pilot turned on the fuel boost pump and attempted to restart the engine; however, he was not successful. Unable to glide to the runway, the pilot made a forced landing in trees and brush. An examination of the airplane revealed both fuel tanks had ruptured. The left fuel tank was found ripped open and was dry; the right tank contained about 10 gallons of fuel. The FAA coordinator reported that he examined the recovered airframe wreckage and the engine. The engine was started and it functioned. Normal operation of both magnetos was noted, and no abnormal conditions were found. The reason for the engine power loss was not determined.
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; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 955 hours in all; 370 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 913 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,617 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 5, 1996; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,125 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470-N-1-B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: E18 Carefree AZ at 4:30 pm
- Destination: E69
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 5,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.