Beech V35B accident near Columbiana, Alabama, November 9, 1996
On November 9, 1996 at about 2:45 pm local time, a Beech V35B, registered N6026T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbiana, Alabama. 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
the pilot's improper use of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation, and his failure to select a tank with fuel for a restart, which resulted in a failure to restart the engine, a forced landing, and subsequent impact with terrain. High obstructions and vegetation (heavy vines) in the emergency landing area were related factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 9, 1996 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Columbiana, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35B · all V35Bs on the register
- Registration
- N6026T · no longer on the register · serial D-10217
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that while in cruise flight at 4,500 feet msl, the engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine, but the engine did not restart, so he initiated a forced landing. Subsequently, he was forced to land in a heavy vine patch to avoid impacting power lines, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane's fuel selector switch was found positioned to the left tank. An FAA inspector stated that 'the left fuel tank appeared empty' when he checked it at the accident site. A mechanic, who removed the airplane from the crash site, reported that there was no evidence of residual fuel (coming from the fuel lines) when he removed the left wing, but there was fuel remaining when he removed the right wing.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 850 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520BB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 50J Moncks Corner SC at 12:00 pm
- Destination: 3F9 Mineola TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.