Beech A36 accident near Cullman, Alabama, June 22, 2007
On June 22, 2007 at about 7:40 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N18491, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cullman, Alabama (Fulsom Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s mismanagement of an in-flight emergency, which resulted in a gear-up landing and runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was a breach to the engine crankcase above and in line with the No. 1 cylinder.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 2007 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Cullman, Alabama · Fulsom Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N18491 · no longer on the register · serial E-1152
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 30 minutes into the flight the pilot reported an onboard fire to air traffic control and indicated his intent to land the airplane. The controller then provided assistance to the pilot in an attempt to aid him in reaching an airport for an emergency landing. A witness observed the airplane with its landing gear and flaps retracted as it attempted to land, going up and down at an altitude of 5 to 10 feet. The witness heard scraping metal as the airplane proceeded along the runway and further stated that the airplane's engine sounded as if it was operating normally, with no signs of smoke or fire. The airplane then gained some altitude before descending and impacting the ground beyond the departure end of the runway. Postcrash examination indicated that the engine was operating upon impact and that the crankcase had incurred a rupture in the area above and in line with the No. 1 cylinder. The airplane exhibited an oil streak proceeding from the engine cowling along the right side of the fuselage. There was also evidence of oil starvation having affected several internal engine parts. No anomalies were noted with the airframe or other airplane systems and both the landing gear and flap systems functioned normally when tested. The manufacturer's emergency procedures for the airplane indicate that, for both an engine fire and engine failure in flight, the landing gear should be lowered during an emergency landing, depending on the landing surface. An April 12, 2006, engine logbook entry for an annual inspection indicated that “some metal” was found after oil was drained and recommended running the engine for an additional 10 hours for further inspection. A follow-up inspection on July 20, 2006, indicated neither metal contaminants in the oil nor any oil leaks. On November 15, 2006, the engine was again inspected for both metal contamination and leaks and none were found.
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: 15 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 2,887 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 22, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,360 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 31, 2007; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,650 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BA (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HAB Hamilton AL at 7:00 pm
- Destination: SOP Pinehurst NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 02, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,100 ft; clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from HSV
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.