Beech A36 accident near Seaside, Oregon, October 20, 2003
On October 20, 2003 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N136SB, was destroyed in an accident near Seaside, Oregon (Seaside Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects while maneuvering. High winds, gusts and rain were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 20, 2003 · about 10:45 pm local time · cases in 2003
- Place
- Seaside, Oregon · Seaside Municipal Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N136SB · no longer on the register · serial E-1838
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses in the area of the airstrip and accident site reported observing the aircraft approaching the airstrip to the south in high wind, rain, and low visibility conditions. All reported hearing the engine as running at high rpm and smooth. The aircraft touched down near the south end of the airstrip then the engine was heard to power up. The aircraft lifted off and was seen initiating a left turn. During the turn to the north, the aircraft impacted trees and subsequently the terrain. Post accident inspection of the wreckage and engine did not find evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. The winds were reported from a weather reporting facility located nine miles north as 200 degrees at 24 knots, gusting to 34 knots. Visibility was two statute miles with rain and mist. The local Police Department which records the wind conditions in the area for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded winds averaging 31 knots, with a recorded peak gust of 41 knots throughout the day. Witnesses in the area reported the ceiling varied from 500 to 700 feet and the visibility varied as low as 1/4 mile, with varying degrees of rain falling.
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
- Flight time: 6,350 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,748 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 16, 2003; 102 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-B28B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ONP Newport OR at 10:10 pm
- Destination: TTD Troutdale OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 2,360 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 24 knots, gusting 34
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,900 ft; a few clouds at 1,100 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 10:48 pm from AST, 9 miles away
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N136SB: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Beechcraft A36 Bonanza 2,530 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Beechcraft 6 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Continental IO-550-B28B 3,077 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Seaside Municipal · nearest airport
- Newport Municipal · departed from
- Portland-Troutdale Airport · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Oregon 1,864 since 1982 · 279 in the last ten years
- Oregon 7,008 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/SEA04FA009.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.