Beech V35B accident near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, July 8, 2008
On July 8, 2008 at about 7:06 pm local time, a Beech V35B, registered N9438Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Lancasterairport). 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
A complete 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
- July 8, 2008 · about 7:06 pm local time
- Place
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania · Lancasterairport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35B · all V35Bs on the register
- Registration
- N9438Q · no longer on the register · serial D-9320
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on approach to land, when the airplane was approximately 3 miles from the airport, the pilot noticed it was above the desired glide path and reduced engine power. As the airplane started to descend below the glide path the pilot added power; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot executed a forced landing in a muddy corn field which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's frame structure and engine firewall. Postaccident examination of the engine, which included a test run did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. During the test run, the engine started normally on the first attempt and ran smooth at all tested speeds. The operation of the engine was as expected under all tested conditions, and did not exhibit any characteristics that would have prevented normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Failure
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,537 hours in all; 1,069 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 1,458 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 20, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,164 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 21, 2007; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BB6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N40 Pittstown NJ at 6:30 pm
- Destination: LNS Lancaster PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 6,934 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from LNS, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.