Beech B35 accident near Lockport, New York, August 5, 2008
On August 5, 2008 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Beech B35, registered N5208C, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Lockport, New York (North Buffalo Suburban Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power, as reported by the pilot, for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and the overweight condition of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2008 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lockport, New York · North Buffalo Suburban Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B35 · all B35s on the register
- Registration
- N5208C · no longer on the register · serial D-2553
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to departing for a 1,175-nautical-mile cross-country flight, the pilot filled all of the airplane's fuel tanks, for a total of 90 gallons of fuel. The pilot did not note any abnormalities during the engine run-up and magneto check, and proceeded to depart from the 2,830-foot-long runway. About the mid-point of the runway, during the takeoff, the pilot stated that "something didn't feel right," and that the engine did not seem as if it were "making full power." He lifted the airplane off the runway at 65 knots indicated airspeed and the airplane acted like it "was going to go." The airplane then settled back onto the runway. The pilot then lifted the airplane off the runway a second time, and retracted the landing gear. Shortly thereafter, he noticed that the engine was losing power. The airplane was heading toward trees that were located at the end of the runway, and the pilot elected to veer off the left side of the runway toward a road. The airplane impacted several objects before coming to rest about 150 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical abnormalities. The pilot stated that he had not performed weight and balance, or takeoff distance calculations, prior to the accident flight. The estimated weight of the airplane for the takeoff was 341 pounds greater than the airplane's maximum gross weight of 2,750 pounds, and the calculated center of gravity was 1/2-inch aft of the maximum limit.
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 (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weight/balance calculations › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum weight › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 364 hours in all; 117 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: December 29, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,925 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 29, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors E225-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0G0 Lockport NY
- Destination: XA44 Lometa TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,830 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 16,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from IAG, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.